Peacemaker group prays for members, uses publicity to further cause

Published: 2006-02-01

TORONTO (CNS) -- In the more than two months since four of their members were kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, the previously obscure Christian Peacemaker Teams have prayed and used the publicity to further their cause. On Jan. 28, another last-chance warning and videotape surfaced showing Canadians Jim Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden, American Tom Fox and Briton Norman Kember still alive and apparently healthy. The silent, grainy tape is thought to have been made Jan. 21; the four were kidnapped Nov. 26. The coordinator of pastoral support for Christian Peacemaker Teams said members of the organization were heartened by the sight of the kidnapped peace workers in warm clothes and beards. "The fact that they (kidnappers) gave no timeline was encouraging also, because timelines tend to make people do things precipitously," said Basilian Father Bob Holmes, pastoral support coordinator.

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