Nederland hopes for hostage's safe return

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By Vanessa Holmes, Reporter - bio | email

A Nederland native is being held hostage in Algeria. In an effort to protect Americans who are still being held hostage, the U.S. State Department is releasing very few details.

We are unable to release the identity of the Nederland native but can say he is 57-years-old.

The hostage has been a long time member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland. Father Dan Malain tells 12 News HD the church has been praying for the hostage at every mass and will continue do to so until he is home safe.

"Each day we remember the family and the hostage in our prayers at Mass. This weekend, we'll have five Masses. So, 2300 people will be praying for this person," he says.

Father Malain first got the word of the hostage stand-off Wednesday night.

"We had about 500 kids here and each class prayed for the family," says Father Dan.

When Nederland Police Chief Darrell Bush heard the news, he also offered his support.

"We just advised them that we would assist them any way we could," says Chief Bush.

An attack by Islamic militants so close to home with community support from a small town.

"I don't think in this particular town, there's not a business or a person that wouldn't step up to help these folks," says Chief Bush.

Father Malain agrees saying they'll just watch, wait and pray until the Nederland native returns to American soil.

"Nederland is a small community," says Father Dan, "Word spread that one of our own needs prayers far away and family needs prayers much closer to home."

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