By Paschal Norbert
NIAMEY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 (CISA)– Rev Sister Sullen Tennyson, an American Catholic nun kidnapped from the convent of her educational and medical mission in Yalgo, Burkina Faso, has been freed after five months of captivity.
Sister Tennyson, 83, a member of the congregation of Marianites of Holy Cross in the United States was kidnapped on April 4, 2022, from the parish she had served as a missionary since 2014.
“Yes, it is true! Sr. Suellen has been recovered! She is now safe and in US custody. We (Srs. Ann & Renée) continue to work with the FBI to facilitate her re-entry process. We are so very grateful for ALL the prayers and support these past 5 months. We now ask you to pray for Suellen’s complete renewal of body, mind and spirit…” the congregation announced on their Facebook page.
Also, announcing the good news, Bishop Theopile Nare of the Catholic Diocese of Kaya, where the Marianite mission is located beamed with joy and gratitude to God on the release of Sr Tennyson saying “Sr. Suellen is now in a safe place and is in good health. At the moment we have no information about the conditions of her release, but we express our deep gratitude to all those who worked for her release.”
Rt Rev William Albert Wack, CSC, bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee in Florida also relayed his message of hope on Twitter “5 months ago I asked for prayers for my sister in Holy Cross (Sr. Suellen Tennyson, MSC), who was kidnapped in Burkina Faso. After praying and hoping for any news for months, we learned that she has been found and is safe! Praise God! Please pray for her recovery now.”
Sr Tennyson, a former general superior of the Marinatite Order, was ministering in Burkina Faso, after Bishop Thomas Kabore, emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Kaya, invited the Marianite nuns in 2014 to establish a parish and help run the newly built Blessed John Paul II Center.
