A Louisiana nun who was kidnapped in Burkina Faso almost 5 months in the past has reportedly been discovered alive and is in U.S. care.
Sister Suellen Tennyson, an 83-year-old member of the Marianites of Holy Cross, was kidnapped by armed gunmen in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, on April 4, the FBI stated in a previous release.
On Tuesday, her order stated she was alive and in U.S. fingers in Niamey, the capital of Niger, The Times-Picayune reported, citing a letter that was despatched to Marianites of Holy Cross members. The order didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from NBC Information.
Sister Ann Lacour, U.S. congregational chief of the Marianites of Holy Cross, confirmed the event to the newspaper in a cellphone interview. She stated Tennyson was alive, however wouldn’t remark additional to take care of the nun’s privateness and to permit for a protected return house.
“Nice information, Sister Suellen has been freed,” Sen. Invoice Cassidy, R-La., stated in a Fb submit, sharing a information story on the event.
“it’s a prayer answered. Grateful for her security,” he stated.
“Thanks be to God!!!” the Archdiocese of New Orleans stated in its personal post. NBC Information has reached out to the archdiocese for remark.
Lacour reportedly told the Clarion Herald, the archdiocese’s newspaper, that Tennyson had been “recovered” Monday morning, and that she had spoken with the missionary.
“She’s completely worn out,” Lacour informed the Clarion Herald. “I informed her how a lot folks love her, and he or she doesn’t have something to fret about. I informed her, ‘You might be alive and protected. That’s all that issues’,” she stated.
The Marianites letter, which Lacour reportedly signed, stated Tennyson was awaiting a full well being evaluation, in keeping with The Instances-Picayune.
The place she goes subsequent, the letter stated, could be as much as the nun following the harrowing ordeal.
The FBI and the U.S. embassy in Burkina Faso didn’t reply to requests for remark from NBC Information on Wednesday morning.