Keeping faith with Claudia

By Elly Fiorentini
BBC North Yorkshire

Peter has never given up hope of finding Claudia alive

Claudia Lawrence was last seen near her home in York on 18 March. She never arrived at work at the University of York the following morning.

For her family and friends her disappearance has caused shock and deep distress.

The police remain convinced that she may have come to harm and are treating her disappearance as suspected murder.

For Claudia's father, Peter it's his faith that is sustaining him in the search for his daughter.

How has your faith helped you over the last three months?

"I think I've said on a number of occasions that it's a mixture of faith, hope and a good deal of friendship."

You must ask if there is a God, why haven't there been any breakthroughs?

"We all know that God doesn't direct everything in life. Otherwise there wouldn't be any wars, any hunger, or any hardship and I do find it difficult to follow that but you know you've got to."

It must be a very painful journey for you though; similar to that faced by Christ in the wilderness?

"That was a time of trial and this is a very different time of trial. I often ask why I've got to face this. We've now had more than 100 days with no news at all. I saw the Archbishop of York by chance just a few days ago and he said, as he always does, that he has a strong feeling that Claudia is still alive."

Is that the hope you have because of your faith?

I think a lot of things test people's faith, but the disappearance of a daughter when there's no reason for it, it really does test it. Peter Lawrence

"Yes and because she hasn't been found dead. As long as that continues as far as we're concerned there is a hope that she's alive."

How much do you pray asking for help and a sign?

"Yes of course I do pray to myself, not kneeling by the bed, but walking around the countryside. I think I am a silent prayer.

"There are a great deal of people praying and not just in churches and not just in the Church of England. Just about every faith locally including the Muslim community in Heworth have been praying for Claudia every day since she first went missing. That is uplifting."

How much does that help you?

"I wouldn't like to be without it. Without that the journey would be much more difficult."

Do you ask why this has happened sometimes?

"Of course you ask why this has happened to Claudia, why has this happened to me and the rest of the family. You are bound to ask that. Of course you don't get any answers and I suppose it's a valid question and I suppose in part that is questioning faith."

Some of the things that have been written about Claudia must also test your faith?

"It certainly tests my composure. I have been known to vent my anger in a few press conferences. But I must say the majority of the media throughout this have been absolutely great."

How much does your faith keep you going through this very difficult time?

"If I didn't have work, to start with, I think I would go mad. If I didn't have faith, hope and friends and the knowledge that people are praying for us then I think it would be very difficult to just go through day to day life.

"I just thank all those people who are praying, whatever their faith, with all my heart. I know there are so many people out there who are praying. People come up to me and say we're praying for you, even people who don't believe come and say they are thinking of us.

"It's become very big out there. People don't accost me all the time, thank goodness, but people are very kind. I'm just so pleased that there are people out there who are obviously helping me go along and helping the rest of the family."

This must test your faith?

"Yes it does. I think a lot of things test your faith but the disappearance of a daughter, when there's absolutely no reason for and there's been no news for so long, really does test it. But on the other hand if you don't have faith what do you have?"