Bishop holds vigil for kidnapped Scottish journalist

Published on Tuesday 17 April 2007 11:54

THE Archbishop of York was today holding a prayer vigil for kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston today.

The correspondent has been missing for more than a month after he was abducted by masked gunmen as he returned to his apartment in Gaza city.

Hundreds of BBC workers gathered outside the corporation's offices yesterday to show their support for Mr Johnston. The vigils followed unconfirmed reports that the 44-year old Scot had been killed by a Palestinian group.

Archbishop John Sentamu called for the journalist's release in his Easter day sermon.

Today he was to say prayers for Mr Johnston, who went to school in Clackmannanshire, during a vigil in the chapel of Bishopthorpe Palace in York. The Archbishop said of the vigil: "First it is an appeal to those who have kidnapped Alan to let him free.

"As someone who has lived amongst the Palestinian people and given them a much needed voice, he has now come to represent all those who put their lives at risk in an attempt to inform the wider world of the daily dangers faced by those in places such as Palestine.

"In addition to praying for Alan's safe release, my prayer will also be for those who think violence is the answer to the problems of the Middle East.

"Violence, kidnapping and fanaticism will lead to retribution not to peace. Peace will only flower where love and justice pervade the environment."

Mr Johnston was abducted on March 12.