Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq
-30/12/05
More than fifty
Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq
-30/12/05
More than fifty Christians and Muslims maintained their regular vigil in Londonís Trafalgar Square yesterday, as efforts continue to seek the release of Norman Kember, Tom Fox, Harmeet Singh Sooden and Jim Loney in Iraq.
The four members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were kidnapped by a previously unknown armed group called Swords of Truth Brigades on 26 November 2005. They have not been heard of since 8 December.
Among the speakers at the beginning of the vigil yesterday, called by Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, was Bruce Kent ñ a former Catholic priest and former general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, who is a friend of Dr Kember.
The gathering then prayed in silence for one hour.
The families and friends of the four have also placed video messages and newspaper adverts over the Christmas season, seeking news about them.
The latest says: “Many clerics and religious figures from the Arab and Muslim world have spoken over the past weeks of the good work they were doing in Iraq and what their organization has done in Palestine, and they have called for their release. We appeal to you to help us ensure the safe return of our relatives.”
The message included a phone number and e-mail address for anyone with information.
Ms Sue Claydon, another friend of Dr Kember, told BBC News yesterday that she has not given up hope for his safe return.
She declared: “We are assuming he is still alive – we are working on the basis of hope and faith. Norman, I am sure, is doing exactly the same thing and I know both he and his family and the other hostages and their families will be feeling very supported.”
Supporters in Iraq and across the Middle East are continuing to call for the release of the CPT four.
They were joined two days ago by a Kashmiri organisation highlighting the plight of Harmeet Singh Sooden, whose roots are in that region.
[Also on Ekklesia: All faiths candlelit vigil in London for Norman Kember; Christians and Muslims show continued support for Norman Kember; Kember supporters urged to keep hope alive; British Muslims in fresh plea for Norman Kember; Norman Kember’s wife pleads for his life; Cardinal joins pleas for Iraq peace workers; Former Guantanamo Bay detainees call for release of Christian peace workers; Vigils and messages of support for abducted peace activist; Hope continues as Iraq captive deadline looms]
Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq
-30/12/05
More than fifty Christians and Muslims maintained their regular vigil in London’s Trafalgar Square yesterday, as efforts continue to seek the release of Norman Kember, Tom Fox, Harmeet Singh Sooden and Jim Loney in Iraq.
The four members of Christian Peacemaker Teams were kidnapped by a previously unknown armed group called Swords of Truth Brigades on 26 November 2005. They have not been heard of since 8 December.
Among the speakers at the beginning of the vigil yesterday, called by Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, was Bruce Kent – a former Catholic priest and former general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, who is a friend of Dr Kember.
The gathering then prayed in silence for one hour.
The families and friends of the four have also placed video messages and newspaper adverts over the Christmas season, seeking news about them.
The latest says: “Many clerics and religious figures from the Arab and Muslim world have spoken over the past weeks of the good work they were doing in Iraq and what their organization has done in Palestine, and they have called for their release. We appeal to you to help us ensure the safe return of our relatives.”
The message included a phone number and e-mail address for anyone with information.
Ms Sue Claydon, another friend of Dr Kember, told BBC News yesterday that she has not given up hope for his safe return.
She declared: “We are assuming he is still alive – we are working on the basis of hope and faith. Norman, I am sure, is doing exactly the same thing and I know both he and his family and the other hostages and their families will be feeling very supported.”
Supporters in Iraq and across the Middle East are continuing to call for the release of the CPT four.
They were joined two days ago by a Kashmiri organisation highlighting the plight of Harmeet Singh Sooden, whose roots are in that region.
[Also on Ekklesia: All faiths candlelit vigil in London for Norman Kember; Christians and Muslims show continued support for Norman Kember; Kember supporters urged to keep hope alive; British Muslims in fresh plea for Norman Kember; Norman Kember’s wife pleads for his life; Cardinal joins pleas for Iraq peace workers; Former Guantanamo Bay detainees call for release of Christian peace workers; Vigils and messages of support for abducted peace activist; Hope continues as Iraq captive deadline looms]