London: vigil for abducted peace campaigners

Around 30 members of Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation held a vigil in Trafalgar Square, on a freezing wet Saturday afternoon, for abducted peace activist Norman Kember. Mr Kember was kidnapped with three other members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq on 26 November. The vigil was held to recall their 42 day of captivity. Nothing has been heard of the men since 8 December 2005. Mr Kember is a trustee of the Christian Peace Education Fund, set up by Pax Christi in 1984 to support peace education initiatives. Pax Christi and the Fellowship of Reconciliation have been holding vigils in Central London every ten days since the men were taken . They believe it is important to keep the plight of the men on the public and media agenda. Another vigil was held in Birmingham city centre on 7 January. Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi has been in contact with Pat Kember, the wife of Norman. She said that Mrs Kember is very grateful for all of the messages of support she has received from individuals, parishes and schools around the country. If the men are not released before,the next vigil will take place on Monday 16 January in Trafalgar Square between 6 - 7 pm. For more information contact Pat Gaffney, Pax Christi 0208 203 4884