Italian priest released after two years of captivity
Father Pierluigi Maccalli is originally from Italy. He has spent the last 21 years in Africa. In October 2018 he was abducted by Islamists and held in captivity for two years.
By ACN Staff
Father Pierluigi Maccalli with his parishioners. (Credit: Societé des Missions Africanes)
On 17th September 2018, Father Pierluigi Maccalli was abducted by Islamists in Niger. After being held for around two years in the deserts of Niger and Mali, the priest was released on 8th October 2020. The Italian-born priest is a member of the Society of African Missions and has been resident in Africa for the past 21 years in Africa and feels a deep affiinty for the African people. After being released, Father Maccalli gave a testimony of his experience of captivity to the Society of African Missions on 10th October. In addition to this, Father Maccalli was received by Pope Francis on 9th November and gave another account of his experience.
Father Pierluigi Maccalli with his parishioners. (Credit: Societé des Missions Africanes)
On Monday 17th September 2018, Father Maccalli had just begun to relax at home after finishing his evening meal. He had celebrated Holy Mass earlier that day. He heard a noise outside. Father Maccalli believed that it was someone coming to ask for some medicine at the little medical store that he had set up. When Father Maccalli went outside he found himself face-to-face with armed men who tied the elderly priest’s hands behind his back. According to Father Maccalli: “I thought at first they were robbers. I gave them the money I had with me and thought things would end there. Everything happened very quickly; I was surprised and unprepared for what was about to happen to me.”
Children praying before an altar in Mali. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
The armed men were not robbers, they were Islamist terrorists. Father Maccalli did not realise how much of an ordeal he was in for. Father Maccalli said he intially thought he would be set free after three or six months. Instead Father Maccalli had to endure two years in captivity including frequent long marches day and night through the desert. Father Maccalli’s captors did not physically mistreat him. According to Father Maccalli: “Instead their idea seemed to be to convert me to Islam. I felt psychological pressure, but not physical mistreatment.” Father Maccalli felt much anguish during his captivity but kept faith in God. He prayed the rosary every day, using a string with knots as rosary beads. In the priest’s own words: “Thanks be to God, I never felt abandoned. Certainly, I cried out to God, got angry with him, but I always felt he was there. It was the sole presence that sustained me.”
Finally, on 8th October 2020, Father Maccalli and other hostages were released. Father Maccalli and his fellow former captives were rapidly flown into Europe. Father Maccalli has expressed concern for some of those he was held with who are still in captivity. He is especially concerned for the female hostages, who according to Father Maccalli are treated with less respect by the Islamists. He is particularly concerned for Sister Gloria Narvaez from Colombia, who is beginning to feel the strain of her captivity. Father Maccalli has not allowed his heart to be filled with hate. He has said: “I feel no bitterness towards my abductors. These young men are indoctrinated by the propaganda videos”. Father Maccalli’s story is one of many stories of Christians held unjustly for their fidelity to the Gospels. Aid to the Church in Need invites all our supporter and benefactors to pray all Christians who are held unjustly, and to also pray for their captors.