Catholic bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez arrives at a military base in Yopal, in northeast Colombia, after he was released by leftist rebels in the remote mountains near Morcote, some 120 miles northeast of Bogota, Tuesday, July 27, 2004. (AP Photo)

Colombian Roman Catholic Church officials say Marxist rebels have released a bishop who was kidnapped two days ago.

Officials say Misael Vacca Ramirez was freed Tuesday near the town of Morcote, where he had been seized by rebels of the National Liberation Army, or ELN. Church officials say he is in good condition.

Earlier Tuesday, Pope John Paul II demanded that the rebels free the bishop. The pope called the abduction a criminal act, saying it was reprehensible that a bishop was being prevented from performing his duties.

On Monday, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe ordered police and army troops on a mission to return the bishop to safety.

Colombia has the world’s highest kidnapping rate.