A Colombian police chief has credited Pope Benedict’s prayers for his “miracle” release after 12 years of captivity by FARC rebels. Lieutenant Colonel Luis Herlindo Mendieta Ovalle was kidnapped Nov. 1, 1998, by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a guerilla organization, Zenit.org reports.
The Colombian army rescued him June 13 along with Police Captain Enrique Murillo Sanchez and Army Staff Sargeant Arbey Delgado Argote.
The next day, Army Lieutenant William Donato Gomez was also rescued.
In an interview with Radio Caracol shortly after his release, Mendieta gave thanks for “the faith of my wife, of Jenny (his daughter) and for all the prayers of Colombia and of the world.”
For her part, his wife, Maria Teresa Mendieta, said that “God heard my prayers.”
“I entrusted myself to God all that time and God protected me,” said the police officer.
Jenny Mendieta, the lieutenant colonel’s daughter, traveled to Rome last autumn and had a brief meeting with Pope Benedict, after the Wednesday general audience on Nov. 18.
This 22-year-old young woman commented that in her meeting with the Pontiff, she took his hands and asked him to pray for the miracle of her father’s release, to which the Pope responded: “The miracle will happen. Have faith. It will be so.”
SIC: CTHAS