Vietnam: House Church attacked
A house church in Hanoi faces uncertainty over where to worship after armed men broke up their meeting, seriously injuring a dozen Christians including women and children. Three were evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after local hospitals refused to examine or treat them. (Vietnamese doctors dare not treat or even examine victims of religious persecution.) Pastor Nguyen Thi Lan is a recently-retired Communist Party official who converted to Christianity last year. Within that short time she has led 50 people to the Christian faith, angering fellow villagers who threatened to kill her if she continues to organize church meetings. Pastor Nguyen Danh Chau was brutally injured with internal injuries to the kidneys, liver and other organs, and left unconscious. Another victim was hit with a steel shovel on her chest and stomach as well as her back, in considerable pain but not admitted to hospital.
Pray: for God to give his wisdom and protection to the growing unregistered house church movement of 2,200+ meeting in over 35 congregations. (Ps.22:19-20)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/19146-news-alert-vietnam-house-church-attacked-12-injured
Global: Opposition to proposed cluster bomb accord
Between 18th and 25th of November the United Nations discussed a new international law on cluster bombs. Religious groups are opposing proposals currently being discussed saying it would put more civilians at risk than an existing treaty. The new law supported by the US, Russia, Israel, China and India would mandate the destruction of all cluster bombs produced before 1980, but allow stockpiled weapons to be used for up to 12 years. It would also allow the continued use of munitions that had a failure rate of less than 1% . A cluster bomb releases smaller ‘bomblets’ designed to kill civilians, damage vehicles and enemy munitions. The Oslo Convention 2010 was ratified by 111 countries and imposed a comprehensive ban on cluster bombs and ordered the destruction of existing stockpiles. The five countries supporting the new law have not signed the Oslo Convention.
Pray: for international Christian groups currently working to eradicate these weapons to be successful – the Mennonites in the US, Tasmania Australia and Canadian churches and the Church of England. (Php.4:1)
More: http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-11/faith-groups-oppose-proposed-cluster-bomb-accord
Burma: Plight of ethnic nationalities
CSW reported Burma's ethnic people are being neglected, highlighting regular use of rape, forced labour, religious persecution, torture and killings in Kachin State where the Army has been waging an offensive against ethnic civilians since breaking a 17-year ceasefire in June. The pastor of a Baptist Church was arrested at 3pm on Nov. 17th while in a store speaking on the phone. Local sources say no reasons were given for his arrest and his whereabouts are unknown. A mother of a 14-month old baby was captured by the Army and forced to work as a porter. She is believed to be held in a camp and repeatedly gang-raped. The Army commander promised her family she would be released by Nov. 2nd but she was not released. An assistant to the pastor of an AoG church died on Nov. 7th a day after severe torture when soldiers attacked and looted the church.
Pray: for the Burmese regime to stop attacking its citizens, and begin a process that will secure peace and protect human rights. (Pr.18:4-5)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue14628.html
Kazakhstan: Laws restricting freedom of religion
Kazakhstan has recently closed mosques, churches and prayer rooms in prisons, citing two laws restricting freedom of religion or belief. ‘Mosques and Russian Orthodox churches were built in prisons in violation of building regulations and the law. They are illegal - that's why they are being closed down.’ Kazakhstan has also started closing prayer rooms in social care institutions. ‘We're all in shock,’ Fr Vladimir Zavadich of the Orthodox Church said. ‘We didn't expect this from our government. Now we fear this will happen everywhere.’ Orthodox Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen stated that this took away ‘the last consolation from those people who, for health reasons, find themselves in a desperate, helpless situation’. He described calls to bar priests from such homes, hospices and old people's homes as ‘inhumane’.
Pray: that Christians might meet for worship without needing state permission. (Pr.21:15)
More: http://www.forum18.org/index.php
