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26th July 2004, 17:54
A Colombian Roman Catholic bishop has been kidnapped by suspected rebels.
Misael Vaca Ramirez, Bishop of Yopal, was seized north-east of Bogota by the National Liberation Army guerrilla group (ELN), church leaders said.
A church official said the ELN had promised to release the bishop unharmed at an unspecified time, with a message for the authorities.
Last month the government offered to stop operations against the ELN if the groups called a ceasefire.
A church leader said he hoped the bishop would only be kept for a short time.
ELN leaders have been trying to find common ground recently for peace talks with the government.
The Marxist rebel group is thought to have up to 5,000 members.
It is small in comparison with Colombia's most powerful rebels - the 15,000-strong Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
BBC News
Misael Vaca Ramirez, Bishop of Yopal, was seized north-east of Bogota by the National Liberation Army guerrilla group (ELN), church leaders said.
A church official said the ELN had promised to release the bishop unharmed at an unspecified time, with a message for the authorities.
Last month the government offered to stop operations against the ELN if the groups called a ceasefire.
A church leader said he hoped the bishop would only be kept for a short time.
ELN leaders have been trying to find common ground recently for peace talks with the government.
The Marxist rebel group is thought to have up to 5,000 members.
It is small in comparison with Colombia's most powerful rebels - the 15,000-strong Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
BBC News