A former Church of England leader has appealed for militants to release five British civilians kidnapped in Iraq a year ago.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey released a video Saturday addressing the kidnappers as “honorable men” and “men of faith.”

Gunmen abducted British management consultant Peter Moore and four security guards in Baghdad on May 29, 2007. They are believed to be held by Shiite militants. The British government has sought to avoid publicity about the hostages as it works for their release. The kidnappers are demanding the release of British-held Iraqi prisoners.

In December, the kidnappers released a video of the hostages in which one said he felt they had been forgotten.