Fr Tom Uzhunnalil who was recently released from the custody of Islamic State terrorists in Yemen, told media in Rome on Saturday that he was healthy during his captivity and terrorists were nice to him.
“Once or twice I had a slight temperature and also my stomach was upset. When I informed them about it, they provided tablets. That was the only sickness I felt other than diabetic issues,” the priest said.
He said that he was transported to different places with his eyes blindfolded.
He told reporters that once, the kidnappers brought a doctor for him and did a full check up.
He said terrorists provided him with insulin for some days and after that they got tablets for his diabetes as they were not able to procure insulin.
“I even celebrated two birthdays in captivity. You might wonder what I was doing the whole day. I had freedom to do whatever I want, I could lie down, stand up whenever I want. They had told me to do exercise within the room. I used to do small exercises, freedom was there,” he said in the press meet.
He said that he was calm and composed all through his captivity.
“I had sufficient time to sleep. I did my prayers and even carried out the holy mass, when they were not in the room. Though bread and wine were not available, I prayed and God was providing spiritual bread and wine to me,” he said.
The priest said that during the entire length of time he spent in captivity, he prayed for everybody.
"I am thankful to the President (Ram Nath Kovind) and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and all the ministers concerned whoever has (expressed) concern," Uzhannalil said.
"Thanks to the country leaders and countrymen. May God bless all of them for their response," he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier confirmed that the priest will return to India on Tuesday night.
Father Tom, who hails from Kottayam, was abducted in March last year by the ISIS terror group which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Yemen's city of Aden.
(With IANS inputs)