4th September, 2014
Security agents in Sudan padlocked a 500-member church”s building on 24th August, said Christian sources who fear the government may try to sell it.
In the latest incident in a nearly two year wave of church demolitions, closures and confiscations, Sudan”s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) forcibly closed the Sudan Pentecostal Church (SPC) church building in Khartoum, which houses the Khartoum Christian Center (KCC).
“The church is concerned that the building might be sold by the government, which renders more than 500 worshippers to have no place for worship,” a source who requested anonymity told Morning Star News by phone.
Since the locking of the church building, pastors have received threatening messages from NISS agents that they risk being arrested, another source said.
“The government has made it clear that no member or church leader is allowed to worship at the SPC building until further notification,” the source said. “Any violation of this directive will lead to arrest.”
Though the government has stated that the closure is temporary, officials have given no timeline, a source said.
The government says that it is closing the church building because it was originally designated as office space.
“How do you close a church building that has been in operation for 20 years in the name of the church being meant for offices?” the source said.
The church has a deed showing it owns the building and property, sources said, raising the question of the government”s right to sell it.
“We are hearing rumors that the government will later repossess the church building and sell it,” a source said.
The government has notified the SPC Council that it has decided to close the church and that the congregation should look for another place of worship since the building was designated for offices, an SPC official told Morning Star News.
“KCC, which is also my home church and the place where I as a northern Sudanese came to know Christ, has continued for more than 20 years to provide the most spiritual manner of service, a shining centre against the darkness of the enemy, and a worshiping refuge where many Sudanese from different ethnic backgrounds and countries worship freely the Lord of Lords,” a source said.
NISS had initially closed the church on 13th August but later reopened it on the condition that it allow officials to find others to manage church finances. The government is seeking any loophole or pretext for closing churches, sources said.
One of the sources said that with God all things are possible, and that the church needs intervention and advocacy in the face of the violation of freedom of worship.
“As we firstly rely on our Lord”s grace and protection that His name will be glorified through this tribulation the SPC is passing through, we also urge you to send this message to wherever you see it”s convenient for help,” the source said.
