Pope urges release of kidnapped bishop

Pope John Paul II has expressed "deep pain" over the abduction of a senior bishop in Colombia and is appealing for the prelate's release.

The Vatican has released a telegram to the president of the Colombian bishops conference following the kidnapping of Bishop Jorge Enrique Jimenez.

No group has claimed responsibility, but the abduction took place in an area where leftist guerrillas are active.

Jimenez is president of the Latin American Episcopal Conference, an organisation of Roman Catholic bishops that determines church policy in the region.

The telegram said John Paul was participating in the pain of Colombia's bishops.

It said John Paul was praying that those responsible for the kidnapping free the bishop and "abandon all forms of violence."