Eritrea is one of the most dangerous places in the world for evangelical Christians today. Despite government denials, religious persecution is rampant and hundreds of Christians are in prison for their faith. Only three churches are approved by the government: Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran. Members of all other churches, as well as those involved in revival movements in one of the approved churches, face prison and torture.
According to a January 14 report from Compass Direct, the first reported crackdown against members of the Catholic Church took place when authorities raided a wedding rehearsal on January 9, arresting twenty-five people, including 17 women. The same day, another wedding party was raided in Barentu. According to reports received by VOM, sixty-seven evangelical Christians were arrested when security police stopped a wedding party on the way to the hotel where the wedding was to take place. Three clergymen among the prisoners were identified as pastors Oqbamichel and Simon from the Kale Hiwot Church, and Hagos Tuomai from the Full Gospel Church. There are reports that everyone, including elderly and young children, have been sent to the Sawa Military Camp for punishment, but this has yet to be confirmed. VOM has also received news of the re-arrest on January 17 of another Christian leader who had previously been detained a few weeks ago but released. |
Sawa Military Camp |
Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual strength for those suffering for their faith in Eritrea. Pray that those in prison will be released and that, while in prison, they will find the freedom to serve Christ in the face of their sufferings.
For more information on the severe persecution facing Christians in Eritrea, click here. To view a video report on persecution facing Eritrean Christians today, go to the Video section VOM's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.
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