YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Ethnic rebels who closed more than 100 churches in eastern Burma (Myanmar) in 2018 have allowed 51 Baptist churches to reopen, sources said. Ethnic Wa rebels of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) this week announced they had permitted 51 Baptist churches to reopen in northern Shan state after […]
Rebels in Burma Who Closed More than 100 Churches Allow 51 to Reopen
Congregations investigated as ‘extremists.’
December 20, 2019 By -
Crackdown on Christianity in China Ramps Up
Persecution rising toward levels under Chairman Mao, sources say.
December 16, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – As more government officials in China are empowered to close churches and a “social credit” system threatens to block Christians from schools, bank loans and jobs, authorities have taken harsh measures against more churches, sources said. Early Rain Covenant Church elder Qin Defu was sentenced to four years in prison on […]
Christians in the Philippines Decry Growing Hostilities after Killing of Pastor
Churches upset with government tactics.
August 6, 2019 By -
MINDANAO, Philippines (Morning Star News) – Following the killing of a pastor on the Island of Mindanao on Friday, church leaders in the Philippines decried an alleged increase in attacks on Christian human rights defenders since the start of the Rodrigo Duterte administration in 2016. Pastor Ernesto Javier Estrella of the United Church of Christ in […]
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 -
(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 […]
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 […]