Westminster: Cardinal united in prayer with vigil for Iraq hostages

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor sent the following message to Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi, one of the organisers of the prayer vigil being held this afternoon in Trafalgar Square for the hostages being held in Iraq. Dear Pat, I want to unite my prayers to yours as you remember in your vigil the four members of Christian Peacemaker Teams being held hostage in Iraq. I want the families of Norman, Tom, Harmeet and James to know that we are thinking of them, and praying, too, that the hearts of those who hold them be converted to the cause of peace and love. I plead with their captors to have mercy, as God is merciful, and to release them." Christians and Muslims, peace organizations and other friends and supporters of Norman Kember, the British peace activist abducted in Iraq, will hold a silent, candlelit prayer vigil later today in Trafalgar Square, central London. The vigil will take place from 6 - 7pm. Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi, one of the organizations behind the vigil said: "For Christians, Advent is a time of waiting and expectation. This year, the waiting and expectation of Advent take on another quality and meaning as we remember our friends Norman, Tom, Harmeet and James held in Iraq.