Sri Lanka: Tamil Tigers kidnap 16 Catholic Orphans: to force them into slavery as Tamil Fighters: say civilians who make it away: church yet to verify

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. News 24 (Secular) 28/12/2008; c.f. Previous: South African Catholic 11/16/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

News 24 reports: that according to witnesses: having escaped: that the Tamil Tigers: have kidnapped 16 Catholic Children over the age of 12 in a Sri Lankan Catholic Orphanage. They were kidnapped, to be "enlisted" in Tamil ranks. The Catholic church in the area has not verified the attack, as communication with the orphanage is cut off. The reports of those claiming to witness an attack: say that two priests were held at gunpoint, as the kidnapping occurred, and the children clinged hopelessly to the priests, as they were forced away.

Recently, the Tamil Tigers, have been pushed out of historically controlled territory, by the Sri Lankan Army. The Catholic church condemns both terrorism, and hostage taking as always evil.