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Archbishop prays for BBC Gaza man Archbishop prays for BBC Gaza man
(about 7 hours later)
The second most senior cleric in the Church of England is to hold a prayer vigil for BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who has been abducted in Gaza. The second most senior cleric in the Church of England has held a prayer vigil for BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who has been abducted in Gaza.
Archbishop of York John Sentamu said this afternoon's vigil would include a plea for Mr Johnston's release and for an end to violence in the Middle East. Archbishop of York John Sentamu said his heart had been heavy since he learned Mr Johnston had disappeared.
A Palestinian militant group has said that it has killed Mr Johnston. The reporter was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March.
The BBC has said it is "highly concerned" but that it has no independent verification of the claim. A Palestinian militant group has said it has killed Mr Johnston. The BBC says it is "highly concerned" but has had no independent verification of the claim.
'Heartfelt appeal' Peace 'the way'
Dr Sentamu said he would say a prayer aimed at "those who think violence is the answer to the problems of the Middle East". Dr Sentamu said during Mr Johnston's three years of reporting from Gaza, his was "the one voice of sanity who was purely telling the story".
The vigil will be held in the chapel of Bishopthorpe Palace, his official residence in York. ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6518873.stm">Timeline: Alan Johnston missing class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5911&edition=1">Send us your messages of support class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2007/04/how_you_can_help.html">Support Alan on your blog The archbishop said when he heard Mr Johnston has been abducted, "my heart became very heavy and has been heavy ever since".
Dr Sentamu will call for an end to Middle East violence He said the freedom of the media was "absolutely critical" , adding that whenever the freedom of the press didn't exist, "dictators love it".
Dr Sentamu said Mr 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". Addressing congregants in the chapel of Bishopthorpe Palace, his official residence in York, Dr Sentamu said the Middle East was "a place of conflict... a place of need and want".
On Sunday, a previously unknown group, the Tawhid and Jihad brigades, claimed it had killed Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. Appealing for an end to violence in the region, the archbishop prayed that "those who use knives and guns realise that the way of peace is the best way".
His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried. On Sunday, a previously unknown group, the Tawhid and Jihad brigades, claimed it had killed Mr Johnston, 44, but this could not be independently verified.
They added: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and well-being to contact the authorities in Gaza."
Journalists on Monday rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston.
Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist.
Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels.
BBC rallies
BBC colleagues held a vigil at London's Television Centre, in Birmingham and at Bush House, home of the World Service.
ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 Timeline: Alan Johnston missing Send us your messages of support
The corporation's Director General Mark Thompson said the BBC was still seeking clarification of the reporter's condition.
He praised Mr Johnston's family, calling the wait for news "agonising" for them.
Earlier, in a statement, the BBC said it could not confirm the claims by the Tawhid and Jihad (Unity and Holy War) brigades, describing the story as a rumour without verification.
"We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities," the group said.
The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made their claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported killing to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government was investigating the reports.
Mr Johnston, from Scotland, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.Mr Johnston, from Scotland, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.
His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March.His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March.