Release International

Vietnamese officials appear to have launched a major crackdown on Christians, calling a halt to Christmas services in several cities and putting pastors under house arrest.

As recently as Sunday, hundreds of Christians who had come from 10 different provinces for a Christmas celebration at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi found themselves locked out.

When they began to worship outside in the street instead, police moved in and started to strike them with fists and sticks, according to news agency Compass Direct. At least six people were arrested, including Rev Nguyen Huu Bao who was scheduled to speak at the event.

Compass says that similar incidents were reported in at least four other provinces. In Danang city in central Vietnam, officials without a warrant raided one house church and confiscated chairs, the pulpit and the sound system on the morning of a Christmas service. And in Thanh Hoa province, house church Christians were beaten and wounded by police trying to stop their worship.

Release sources say the persecution extends across many provinces in north and central Vietnam. They report that Mennonite pastors in many parts of the Central Highlands were placed under house arrest for three days recently. And in several provinces in north Vietnam, Christians, including pastors, are reported to have been beaten and arrested.

However, a Vietnamese source told Release that churches are not fearful. 'They have a strong faith and are ready to be persecuted,' he said.

Meanwhile, Release has learnt that Mennonite pastor Nguyen Hong Quang has been released from detention in Ho Chi Minh City. Pastor Quang was arrested as officials bulldozed his Bible school last week (Prayer Alert, December 14, 2010). There is no news on the 20 Bible college students arrested with Pastor Quang on December 14.

(Sources: Compass Direct, Release International, Voice of the Martyrs Australia)

• Pray God's peace and joy over Christians in Vietnam who are facing persecution as they try to celebrate our Saviour's birth. Pray that the Vietnamese authorities will relent and allow Christmas celebrations to proceed unhindered.
 
• Thank God for the release of Pastor Quang in Ho Chi Minh City. Ask God to protect him, his family and his Bible college students.

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