Archbishop to Hold Prayer Vigil for Missing BBC Journalist

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will hold a special prayer vigil for abducted BBC reporter Alan Johnston Tuesday afternoon.

|PIC1|The second-most senior cleric in the Church of England has explained that the vigil will pray for an end to violence in the Middle East and especially for Johnston's release from his abductors in Gaza.

The BBC has been alarmed by recent developments over the weekend, when a Palestinian militant group reported that it had killed Johnston. However, the BBC has said that it has received no independent verification of the claim.

The vigil is set to take place at the chapel of Bishopthorpe Palace, which is the official residence of the Archbishop of York.

Dr Sentamu said he would be aiming his prayers at all "those who think violence is the answer to the problems of the Middle East".

He added that Johnston "represented 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".

Meanwhile, on Monday a rally took place in Beirut in support of Johnston's release, which saw journalists carrying pictures of their missing colleague.

In addition, another demonstration took place outside the European Commission building in Brussels as the international community united in its condemnation of the BBC journalist's abduction.

A previously unknown group, the Tawhid and Jihad brigades on Sunday sent an email to media organisations saying that they had killed Johnston, who has been missing since 12 March.

The BBC held a vigil at its London Television Centre, as well as its centres in Birmingham, and at Bush House, which is the home of the World Service.

The BBC released a statement saying: "We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that the Government was currently investigating the reports, and trying to verify the claims.