News

CTBI sends greetings to Norman Kember

April 2, 2006

A major gathering of British and Irish Christians sent a message of joy this week to released hostage Norman Kember, held in Iraq for 118 days. Our prayers for your safety have been answered, said the representatives of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CRM).

Sent from the CTBI Church Representatives’ Meeting in Coventry, known as a city of peace and reconciliation, the letter said:

‘Churches Together in Britain and Ireland has heard with great joy the news of your release along with James Loney, and Harmeet Singh Sooden. We remember with sadness the death of Tom Fox on 10 March.

‘We honour your determination to speak out against all forms of violence. You went to Iraq as a living testimony to a better way than violence. We respect your courage in going to be with the people in their suffering and to be there as witnesses to the plight of Iraqi detainees.

‘We cannot imagine what you and your family have endured. Throughout your captivity people of many faith communities came together to pray and stand in silent vigils together, for your release, and for Iraqi detainees and for their families.  

‘We commit ourselves to the cause of peace for all people in the region.'

Norman Kember, James Loney, Harmeet Singh Sooden and Tom Fox were captured in Baghdad on 26 November 2005, having gone to Iraq with the Christian Peacemakers Team, who work to reduce violence in areas of conflict around the world. CPT have been in Iraq since April 2002. In January 2004 CPT published a detailed report of 72 case-studies regarding treatment of detainees and their families.