SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Muslim villagers in West Java, Indonesia on Christmas Day stopped a congregation from celebrating Christmas in a home, according to various sources. The interference came within hours of Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s historic visits to two churches in nearby Bogor, where he urged congregations to continue harmonious relations with people […]
Muslim Villagers Halt Christmas Celebrations in Indonesia
Home worship stopped within hours of president’s appeal for unity.
December 29, 2022 By -
Official Bans Christmas Celebrations in District in Indonesia
Action comes despite lack of national-level restrictions.
December 21, 2022 By -
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – A high-level official in western Indonesia on Saturday (Dec. 17) announced an agreement with a multi-faith body that prohibits Christmas celebrations in a district at sites without government approval. The agreement effectively bans religious Christmas celebrations in Java Island’s Maja District, Banten Province as strict requirements and bureaucratic opposition make obtaining […]
Pastor in Laos Was Tortured and Killed, Sources Say
Christian was leader of officially recognized church.
November 14, 2022 By -
(Morning Star News) – The body of a pastor with an officially recognized church in Laos was found last month with signs that he was tortured and killed for his faith, area sources said. Christian leaders and police in central Laos’ Khammouane Province believe Pastor Seetoud, who went by a single name, was killed for […]
Officials Join Opposition to Church Construction in Indonesia
Government interference comes into the open in western Java.
November 2, 2022 By -
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Two local officials in Indonesia joined Islamist organizations’ call to block construction of a Christian church, triggering objections nationwide the past two months, according to published reports. In western Java Island’s Banten Province, Cilegon Mayor Heldy Agustian and his deputy, Sanuji Pentamarta, were among those who signed a petition to ban […]
China ‘Liquidates’ House Church as Part of Crackdown
Pastors and other workers arrested.
August 26, 2022 By -
(Morning Star News) – Authorities in China on Aug. 19 officially “liquidated” an historical house church in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, as part of a crackdown on churches that refuse to join the state-controlled Three-Self Church, rights advocates said. The Church of Abundance, which began about 30 years ago, had been targeted as a “cult” that […]
Hmong Christians in Vietnam Suffering Severe Persecution
Federal authorities do nothing as local officials violate religion law.
July 25, 2022 By -
(Morning Star News) – Severe persecution of Hmong Christians is underway in Nghe An Province in Vietnam. In the central Vietnam province, officials vying with each other to create “Christian-free zones” operate “with no conscience or humanity,” as if they were in a different country than the one whose religious freedom measures they are violating, […]
Vietnam Floats Draconian New Religion Decrees
Proposed high fines, shutdowns and onerous regulations submitted for feedback.
June 14, 2022 By -
HANOI, Vietnam (Morning Star News) – When the “Government of Vietnam” posted two draft religion decrees the first week of June, even ranking staff members of the Government Bureau of Religious Affairs were taken by surprise and encouraged religious leaders to strongly object. The decrees with ancillary documents were posted online for input by government departments […]
Online Crackdown Threatens Christians in China
Draconian measures contravene constitution, attorney says.
February 14, 2022 By -
(Morning Star News) – Unregistered house churches that have relied on online gatherings and teaching to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and persecution will have that option taken away under draconian measures taking effect on March 1, sources said. Churches, seminaries and other ministries have been shaken by the government announcement on Dec. 20 that all […]
Christians Questioned in Criminal Investigation of Church in Vietnam
Attorney says intent must be shown for violation of law.
November 8, 2021 By -
(Morning Star News) – Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam have questioned a pastoral couple and 11 congregation members in the criminal prosecution of a church facing wild accusations of starting a COVID-19 outbreak, sources said. Police in Go Vap District questioned the Rev. Vo Xuan Loan and her husband, the Rev. Phuong Van […]
Mixed Messages in Vietnam amid COVID-19
Following prior anti-church hype, communist government reacts responsibly to outbreak at Bible school.
July 30, 2021 By -
(Morning Star News) – When several students at the Evangelical Church of Vietnam South’s (ECVN-S) Institute of Bible and Theology in Ho Chi Minh City developed coughs and fevers on July 20, church authorities immediately called the government health department. In rapid tests, some 290 of the 306 students and staff on the campus in […]