(Morning Star News) – Authorities in China have added “illegal business activities” to the subversion charge against pastor Wang Yi and have coerced congregation members to falsely accuse him, according to advocacy and media reports. Pastor Wang, of Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was detained in a Dec. 9 raid along […]
China Adds Charge against Pastor, Coerces Christians to Accuse Him Falsely, Sources Say
Church leader in another province takes his life in protest of crack-down.
July 24, 2019 By -
Three Christians Forced to Convert to Buddhism in Rakhine State, Burma
Local officials take ethnic Chins to Buddhist monastery.
June 19, 2019 By -
YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Local authorities in western Burma (Myanmar) last month forced three Christians to convert to Buddhism, area sources said. In Ann Township in southern Rakhine state, five local officials led by U Tin Shwe Maung took two ethnic Chin Christians from their homes in Padi Kyin village to a monastery on […]
Police Responsible for Disappearance of Pastor in Malaysia, Rights Commission Concludes
Calls made for government to reopen investigation.
April 4, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – A human rights committee in Malaysia has concluded that police officers were responsible for the 2017 disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, according to published reports. The prime minister of Malaysia told reporters late Wednesday (April 3) that the government would investigate the abduction of the pastor and the 2016 disappearance of […]
Cathedral Bombing Appears to Make Terrorist Statement after Referendum in Philippines
Islamic State-affiliated group responsible, officials say.
February 4, 2019 By -
MINDANAO, Philippines (Morning Star News) – Christians in the insurgency-scarred southern Philippines who hoped for peace after the region won official status as an autonomous, Islamic sub-state last month received a mortifying message when Islamist terrorists bombed a Catholic cathedral on Jan. 27. Members of the Islamic extremist rebel group Abu Sayyaf, which claims allegiance to […]
Six Christians Injured in Stoning of Christmas Service in Burma
Area Buddhists had told Christian families to leave village.
December 24, 2018 By -
YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Unidentified men last week stoned a house full of worshippers for an hour in a predominantly Buddhist village in Burma (Myanmar), injuring six people, sources said. In Kanta Kawn Township, Magway Region in central Burma, 27 Christians were holding a Christmas worship service on Dec. 17 when at 8 p.m. […]
China Cracks Down on Unofficial Church, Arresting Pastor and 100 Members
Leader of prominent congregation charged with 'subversion.'
December 13, 2018 By -
(Morning Star News) – Authorities in China have detained the pastor and more than 100 members of a prominent, unofficial church since Sunday (Dec. 9), according to media and advocacy agencies. Security authorities raided the 800-member Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan Province at about 6 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 9) and also took […]
Police in Laos Arrest Grandmother, Three Other Christians During Worship
Christianity considered enemy of the country, rights group says.
December 12, 2018 By -
(Morning Star News) – Police in Laos arrested a grandmother and three other Christians while they were worshipping last month, according to an advocacy group. Raiding a church service in Keovilai village, Vilabouly District in Savannakhet Province, local police on Nov. 18 arrested the 78-year-old woman identified as Grandma Bounlam and three men identified by […]
Authorities Seal Shut Three Church Buildings in Indonesia
Islamists pressure local officials, Christian leaders say.
October 4, 2018 By -
(Morning Star News) – Police in Jambi, on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra, last week escorted members of a Methodist church congregation out of their building and sealed the door shut. While church members wept, the Jambi Civil Service Police pasted a notice declaring the building was sealed due lack of a permit, as seen in […]
Rebels in Burma Detain More than 90 Christian Leaders, Shut Down More Churches
Some students forced to serve in UWSA forces, sources say.
October 1, 2018 By -
YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – After shutting down at least 10 churches in early September, ethnic Wa rebels in eastern Burma (Myanmar) have closed dozens of other churches and detained 92 Christian leaders and 42 students in a bid to curtail Christian activities, sources said. The United Wa State Army (UWSA) in late September detained […]
Rebel Force Attacks Churches in Burma
Extremist militants aim to restrict missionary activity, sources say.
September 24, 2018 By -
YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Ethnic Wa rebels this month shut down churches or destroyed their buildings and temporarily detained several clergymen in eastern Burma (Myanmar), sources said. On the border with China, soldiers of Myanmar’s largest ethnic rebel group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), attacked the churches in the rebel’s autonomous region in […]