China’s ‘underground’ churches told to seek ‘guidance’ from state-approved bodies
World Watch Monitor A newly implemented directive from the Chinese Government forces Protestant ‘house churches’ and Catholic ‘underground’ communities to seek “guidance” from recognised religious organisations. A notification from the State Administration for Religious Affairs, issued earlier this month, requires organisers of religious activities at temporary sites to also apply for a permit that is […]
Beijing house churches investigated and ordered to close
World Watch Monitor Authorities in China’s capital Beijing investigated two house churches earlier this month and also pressured landlords to cancel the leases of their meeting places, China Aid reported. Officials from the Xicheng District Public Security Bureau attended a church meeting on Sunday, 6th May. Without interrupting the service they investigated proceedings and took photos in […]
Children stopped from entering church as pressure on Christians increases in China’s Henan province
World Watch Monitor Pressure on Christians is increasing in China’s central Henan province, according to Catholic news service UCAN. Suppressive measures on both Catholic and Protestant churches have been directed by the central government in Beijing and have intensified in recent weeks, according to UCAN, which reported that churches had been “demolished and raided, as well […]
Chinese clampdown reaches Christians in Henan
World Watch Monitor Local authorities in China’s east-central Henan Province have removed a number of crosses from churches closed a church-run kindergarten and asked Christian residents in one city to register. The “two or three” crosses that have been forcibly removed from churches were located in Yichuan county, and were taken down because they were […]
Prominent Chinese church demolished – second in month
World Watch Monitor Chinese authorities demolished a church in northern China this week, the second in less than a month, ahead of new regulations on religion due to come into force on 1st February. Explosives were set off inside the Golden Lampstand Church in Linfen, Shanxi province, on Tuesday. According to AP, citing the state-run Global […]
China a “key country of concern” with regard to persecution of Christians, says new report
China is a “key country of concern” when it comes to the persecution of Christians with a new report saying Christians in the country look set to face a “harsh” year ahead. UK-based Release International, in comments made ahead of the release of its annual Persecution Trends report, said that new rules coming into force […]
Iran Christians detained; church leaders await outcome of appeal
BosNewsLife Iranian Christians are concerned about the plight of eight prominent church workers who they say face lengthy prison terms and torture following an appeal hearing and further detentions this week. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, and Saheb Fadaie are appealing 10 year prison sentences received for their involvement in house churches and allegedly promoting “Zionist […]
Iranian Christian convert loses appeal against 10 year sentence for “missionary activities”
World Watch Monitor Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh PICTURE: Via Article 18. An Iranian convert to Christianity has had his 10 year prison sentence upheld after losing his appeal. Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh was sentenced in May alongside three Azerbaijanis. All four men were given 10 year sentences for “missionary activities” and “actions against national security” in Iran. However, the […]
CONVERSATIONS: FIONA BAIRD, ADVOCATE FOR IRANIAN CHRISTIANS
Elam – an organisation aimed at supporting the Persian-speaking church in Iran and beyond – recently opened a regional office in Australia. Director Fiona Baird speaks to DAVID ADAMS about the organisation’s purpose, what life is like for Christians in Iran, and why the church there is seeing such growth at the moment…
Concern after three house churches closed in Indonesia
World Watch Monitor Indonesian authorities in Bogor, West Java, have banned three churches from holding religious activities. According to UCANews the Methodist Church Indonesia, Huria Batak Protestant Church and a house used by Catholics for catechism classes were ordered to close their doors. Local authorities said they could not guarantee the safety of the communities. According to the […]