Guerrillas snatch Colombia bishop

The bishop's abduction has caused angry protests

A Colombian Roman Catholic bishop has been kidnapped by suspected rebels.

Misael Vacca 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.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe ordered police and troops to launch a rescue operation to release the bishop.

"Kidnapping is indefensible. He must be rescued, and I hope that he quickly regains his freedom," Mr Uribe told reporters.

Pope John Paul II has also condemned the kidnapping and called for the bishop's swift release.

President Uribe has taken a tough stance on rebel groups

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).