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Laos adopting China’s tactics
‘Laos not only shares a border with China; it shares a communist
ideology, and that includes strong restrictions on religion,’ said Dr
Hyun Sook Foley of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. She points to the July
28 arrest in Laos of Chinese human rights attorney Lu Siwei as he
was on his way to the US as a sign of China’s influence on the Laos
Government. ‘We should not be surprised to see Laos adopt China-style
religious restrictions to attempt to control its rapidly growing Christian
population,’ she said.
‘In 1994 there were 400 Christians in Laos, but by 2020 there were over
250,000, and by the end of 2023, Lao Christians believe there will be
over 400,000.’ She said that sharp increase had led to challenges for
the Lao Christian community.
‘Persecution and restrictions are the main external challenges. Most
persecution of Christians in Laos is done by family members or village
authorities who are concerned that Christianity offends the spirits.’
But she said that it was not only the spirits villagers worry about
offending. Lao authorities watch the growth of unregistered Christian
congregations with concern.
‘Similar to China, there is a clear expectation and growing pressure by
the Government for all churches to officially register their existence and
fully comply with all religious regulations,’ she said. Those regulations
also govern access to Bibles. ‘Bibles are not sold in bookstores in Laos.
The registered churches sell Bibles, and some foreign groups have
sought legal permission to bring Bibles in for mass distributions.’
However, according to Dr Foley, buying a Bible from a registered
church or receiving a Bible from a government-permitted distribution
point can expose church leaders and local believers to pressure
from their fellow villagers or from government authorities. ‘Public
acquisition of a Bible can be like a trail leading suspicious villagers or
government authorities right to the door of an unregistered pastor or
believer.’
(Source: VOM Korea)
Listen to our
latest podcasts
FAITHFUL WHERE WE ARE North Korea is
a country that fascinates many of us – not
least because it seems so secretive. But what
is life really like there? What’s it like being
a Christian in North Korea? In this edition
of Release International’s Voice podcast we
continue our conversation with Eric Foley,
head of our sister ministry, Voice of the
Martyrs Korea. Last month Eric spoke about
his ministry – and how it was transformed
by listening to, and understanding, North
Korean Christians. Listen now as Eric
suggests how we are to view and pray for
our North Korean brothers and sisters
in Christ.
CHRIST IS SUFFICIENT The first of two
podcast conversations with Eric Foley of
Voice of the Martyrs Korea. In his letter to
the Colossians the Apostle Paul emphasises
that our sufficiency is in Christ alone, ‘for in
him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
and [we] have been filled in him’. And yet
Paul speaks of his sufferings. In this edition
of Release International’s Voice podcast we
find out from Eric what ministry to North
Korean Christians looks like – and how
Voice of the Martyrs Korea began.
CHINA: FEARING THE LORD, NOT MAN
‘Released from a small prison to a bigger
prison.’ That’s how life is described for
many Chinese Christian pastors who
have been imprisoned for their gospel
ministry and who continue to live under
heavy surveillance after their release. In
this edition of the Voice podcast we speak
to Release International partner Bob Fu,
president of the Christian organisation
ChinaAid. Hear Bob describe the current
political situation in China, and what that
means for Christians and for the Christian
church. Bob also shares some of the
challenges faced by high-profile pastors –
even after they are released from prison.
Kidnappings follow killing
of Nigerian pastor
Two Christians were kidnapped in Kaduna state, Nigeria, at the end of
August two days after gunmen described as terrorists killed a Baptist
pastor in another area of the state, sources said.
Terrorists invaded the predominantly Christian community of Wusasa,
Zaria, and kidnapped the two Christians, named as brothers Yusha’u Peter
and Joshua Peter, staff members at St Luke’s Anglican Hospital in Wusasa,
Isiyaku Ibrahim, a community leader in the area, said.
‘This is coming not long after the father of the two victims was also
kidnapped and taken into captivity by the terrorists,’ Ibrahim told Morning
Star News in a text message. ‘The terrorists have so often made our area
their target of attacks and abductions of our people. In fact, recently two
Christians in our community were killed in similar attacks.’
The two brothers had fled to Zaria from Ikara in Kaduna state after their
father was kidnapped there, according to local reports.
The abductions came after Rev Jeremiah Mayau, the 61-year-old pastor of
Tawaliu Baptist Church in Ungwan Mission, Kujama in Chikun County, was
shot dead on August 23.
(Source: Morning Star News)