Kidnapped Italian priests, Canadian nun released from captivity

(Vatican Radio) Two Italian priests and a Canadian nun, who were abducted in Cameroon in April, have reportedly been set free.

Upon learning of their release, the director of the Holy See Press Office, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, issued the following statement:

“The release of the two Italian missionary priests from Vicenza, Gianantonio Allegri and Giampaolo Martha, and of the Canadian nun Gilberte Bussière, who had been kidnapped in Cameroon at the beginning of April, is news that fills us with joy. The Holy Father, who had followed the dramatic story from the outset, was promptly informed. We thank God that this incident has come to a successful conclusion. At the same time we continue to pray and to work that every form of violence, hatred, and conflict in the various regions of Africa and in other parts of the world might be overcome; and we renew the memory of, and the commitment to, the many other innocent people of different ages and commitment, who – as we know well – are victims of unacceptable abductions in different places of conflict.”