Suellen Tennyson: Louisiana nun, 83, FOUND SAFE months after being kidnapped by armed men in Africa
YALGO, BURKINA FASO: A nun from Louisiana, who was missing since April 2022, has been found after she was abducted from her bed in Africa. The nun was serving a mission at a convent in Yalgo, when at least 10 armed men reportedly carried out an attack and took her captive.
According to the Clarion Herald, Marianite sister Suellen Tennyson, aged 83 years old, was kidnapped in the middle of the night on April 4. Marianite leader Sister Ann Lacour told the outlet that Suellen was found early on Monday, August 29 and is now "safe."
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Sister Ann Lacour said to the Clarion Herald that while Suellen is "on American soil," she's not in America yet. She said, "We have spoken to her. She eventually will get back to the United States," Sister Ann added that the 83-year-old had no clue where she was when they talked on the phone.
Sister Ann said, "She's totally worn out," adding, "I told her how much people love her, and she doesn't have anything to worry about. I told her, 'You are alive and safe. That's all that matters.'"
Sister Ann also spoke to NOLA.com, saying that she won't share further details on Sister Suellen's recovery for safety protocols. As per Clarion Herald, in an alert that was issued April 6 after Sister Suellen's alleged kidnapping, Sister Ann wrote, "There were about 10 men who came during the night while the sisters were sleeping. They destroyed almost everything in the house, shot holes in the new truck and tried to burn it. The house itself is OK, but its contents are ruined."
Some of the younger nuns then told Sister Ann that Sister Suellen was kidnapped from her bed with "no glasses, shoes, phone, medicine, etc." The nuns then quickly alerted the US Embassy in Burkina Faso and the State Department. As per PEOPLE, the embassy told the sisters that finding Sister Suellen was "a high priority case for them."
Meanwhile, Sister Ann, along with Sister Renée of The Marianites of Holy Cross also celebrated Sister Suellen's return on Facebook, and wrote, "Yes, it's true! Sr. Suellen has been recovered!" She added that they are working alongside the FBI "to facilitate her re-entry process."
The sister said, "We are so very grateful for ALL the prayers and support these past 5 months," adding, "We now ask you to pray for Suellen's complete renewal of body, mind and spirit."
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans also expressed gratitude for Sister Suellen's return, writing in a Facebook post, "Thanks be to God!!!!!"
Furthermore, the sisters asked for privacy for the victim and said, "Let her be the one to reach out to you when she's ready. Let the fact that she is safe be your consolation...God does great things for us!"
