Disappearance of Father Francis

Father Francis
Disappeared	Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka
Status	Missing for 15 years, 10 months and 23 days
Occupation	Priest
Employer	Roman Catholic Church

Francis Joseph, also known as Father Francis, is a Catholic Tamil priest. He disappeared along with hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamils when they surrendered to the Sri Lankan army on 18 May 2009. They crossed the Vattuvagal bridge from LTTE-held areas and crossed into Sri Lanka government-held area, boarded army buses, and were never seen again.

Background

Father Francis was a student of St. Patrick's College, Jaffna. After being ordained as a Priest, he returned to the college to teach English and later became the Principal. He was firm supporter of an independent Tamil Eelam but he never used violence.

Yasmin Sooka, a member of the United Nation's Darusman Report states that

"This particular event is the single largest number of people who have been subject to enforced disappearances at the hands of the Sri Lankan army"

Father Francis wrote an open letter on 10 May 2009 to the Vatican stating that the Sri Lankan government is waging a genocidal war against the Tamils. He was aware that his life would be in danger, as the letter would anger the Sri Lankan government. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

References

1. "Sri Lanka's war 10 years on: Finding Father Francis". BBC News. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
2. "'It is a genocidal war' — Father Francis Joseph from inside the No Fire Zone". Tamil Guardian. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
3. Fernando, Ruki (20 August 2021). "15 Years Later, No Truth or Justice for Missing Priest and Aide". Groundviews. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
4. "Catholics pray for missing Tamil priest". ucanews.com. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
5. "TamilNet: 30.08.18 Families of enforced disappeared mark international day in Mannaar, Ampaa'rai". TamilNet. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
6. "WHERE IS FATHER FRANCIS JOSEPH?". Meepura News. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
7. "15 years after disappearance; No truth, No justice — Opinion". Daily Mirror. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
8. Pinto, L. (2015). Being a Christian in Sri Lanka: Historical, Political, Social, and Religious Considerations. Balboa Press AU. p. 136. ISBN   978-1-4525-2862-5 . Retrieved 13 October 2023.