Vietnam
Vietnam authorities break up Bible gathering
Officials expel foreign missionary, detain students attending Hanoi gathering
Believers stand praying during Mass at Hanoi's cathedral in this file photo. Vietnamese authorities broke up a Bible meeting in Hanoi recently, detaining dozens of Bible students and expelling a foreign missionary, according to reports. (Photo by Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP)
A foreign missionary was expelled and Bible students detained by security forces in what activists said was increased persecution of Christians in communist Vietnam.
Students gathered for a Bible >A local pastor who did not wish to be named said an unidentified foreign missionary leading the >
Open Doors said Christians in Vietnam have been experiencing an increase in persecution since Vietnam's Communist government passed the new 'Law on Belief and Religion' on Nov. 18 last year, which further limits freedom of religion considerably.
The law comes into effect in January 2018.
Historically Christian communities are often subject to arrests and land grabbing by the authorities. Converts to Christianity from Buddhist or ethnic-animist backgrounds face the strongest persecution, however, not only from the authorities, but also from families, friends and neighbors, Open Doors said.Protestant Christian believers are especially targeted as they tend to gather in house-churches for fellowship outside the official churches, Open Doors explained.Their members face discrimination at various levels of society. Vietnamese authorities have often denied targeting minorities, including devoted Christians.
Publisher
UCA News