A group of Muslim religious leaders has become involved in attempts to secure the release of the Irish Columban priest, Monsignor Des Hartford, who was kidnapped by rebels in the Philippines on Monday.
They left Marawi city yesterday in a jeep borrowed from a neighbouring parish in an attempt to meet the rebels and Mgr Hartford. This was disclosed yesterday by the director of the Columban order in the Philippines, Father Donie Hogan, in a faxed letter to the Columban Vicar General in Dublin, Father Noel Connolly.
"These men know and respect Des," wrote Father Hogan.
"Over the past years they have met and shared their faith - hoping to help break down the barriers of distrust between Muslims and Christians."
Members of the Moro Liberation Army, a Muslim group holding Mgr Hartford, have said they will not release him until they are given livelihood grants promised by the government in return for laying down their arms.
A native of Lusk, Co Dublin, and in his late 50s, Mgr Hartford has been in the Philippines since 1968.