Rome, Italy, Jul 3, 2007 / 10:45 am (CNA).- The Superior General of the Pontifical Missionary Institute, Father Gian Battista Zanchi, has warned against politicizing the kidnapping of Father Giancarlo Bossi, which occurred on June 10 on the Philippine island of Mindanao.

In a press release, Father Zanchi thanked all those “who are praying and working for the release of Father Bossi,” and he noted that the PMI “does not want to become involved in political controversies and laments that he is being used as an instrument.”

Father Zanchi stressed that the controversy in Italy surrounding the case “could end being counterproductive, making the release of our brother more difficult.”  He said a delegation would soon be arriving in Mindanao to work for the priest’s liberation.

He noted that up to now the PMI has not received any confirmation about the identity of the kidnappers, and that therefore to see the occurrence as “a conflict between Christians and Muslims is unjustified.”

“In order to avoid any confusion,” he added, “the PMI will make known its position through official statements.”

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