Sentamu Leads Easter Prayers for Missing BBC Reporter

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has led Easter prayers for the missing BBC reporter Alan Johnston, missing in Gaza since 12 March.

Mr Johnston - the only international reporter based in Gaza - is believed to be kidnapped, although no group has claimed to be holding him, the BBC reports.

Dr Sentamu appealed directly to Mr Johnston's captors in his sermon, saying "he is not your enemy".

He urged the release of Mr Johnston as a step towards ensuring the freedom of press in the future.

"He is a symbol of ensuring the freedom of the press is not violated, an issue Palestinian journalists indeed are familiar with after facing routine attacks, harassment and arrests.

"And for Alan Johnston, my prayer is that he will be released. After all, he was trying to get the story out."

Prayers have also been said for the BBC correspondent in an Easter service in his hometown of Argyll, Scotland.

The BBC described Mr Johnston as a highly experienced and respected reporter and said it had received thousands of messages of support from users of its news website demanding the reporter's release.

Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a BBC correspondent.