Italian priest kidnapped in Phl dies

MANILA, Philippines - Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad yesterday expressed sorrow over the passing of Italian missionary Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, who had served the country for 32 years and was once kidnapped by Islamic militants.

Bossi died Sunday of lung cancer. He was 62.

“We are very sad of the death of Fr. Bossi. We treasure his memories, particularly his missionary work here in Zamboanga del Sur, in the diocese of Pagadian and all other parts of Mindanao,” Jumoad said.

“We pray that there will be more Fr. Bossi in terms of commitment to the ministry and fidelity. We entrust his soul to the Almighty, that he will be given the joy of life hereafter,” he added.

Bossi was born in Abbiategrasso, Milan on Feb. 19, 1950. He joined the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in Genoa in 1973, and took his perpetual vow on Feb. 3, 1978. He was ordained on March 18, 1978 by Msgr. Aristide Pirovano.

On June 10, 2007, while on a mission in Mindanao, Bossi was kidnapped by alleged members of a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He was released on July 19 following appeals from the faithful.