Priests, Nun released in Cameroon
Two Italian priests and a Canadian nun kidnapped in northern Cameroon in early April by suspected Boko Haram gunmen have been released, Cameroon’s communications minister said on Sunday.
Church authorities identified the priests at the time of their abduction as Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri, missionaries from the diocese of Vicenza in northeast Italy, and the nun as Gilberte Bissiere.
“I confirm the release of the two priests and the nun abducted a few weeks ago. They are in good health.
They are now in a plane heading to Yaounde,” Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary told Reuters by phone.
Vatican spokesperson Father Federico Lombardi said news of the release “fills us with joy”.
“We thank the Lord that this dramatic episode has reached a positive outcome,” Lombardi said.
Pope Francis had followed the affair closely, he said, and had been informed immediately of the releases.
