Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 264 – Wed 24 Mar 2004

—————————————- ERITREA: CHRISTIAN FAMILIES NOW ARRESTED —————————————-

In May 2002 the Eritrean government closed down all congregations not affiliated with Eritrea’s ‘official’ religions (Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim). This has affected at least 140 AOG, Full Gospel, Faith Church of Christ, Kale Heywet (SIM) and independent congregations. The believers are forbidden to worship, even privately in their homes. Compass Direct (CD) reports, ‘At least 373 Protestant Christians are confirmed jailed and subjected to severe torture across the country for refusing to recant their faith, some for nearly two years.’

According to CD’s 23 March update, police raided the home of Kalete, a lay leader of the Rema Church, at midnight on 17 March. The police arrested him along with his wife, six children and his father-in-law, reportedly while they were having family devotions. They are now in the Adi Abeto prison outside Asmara.

CD reports another Rema Church leader, Habeteab, was arrested with his wife and five children the following evening. They also have been sent to the Adi Abeto prison. According to CD, Habeteab ‘has been charged with trying to “start a new religion”.’ Also, ‘an official at the police station remarked that President Isaias Afwerki had ordered the police and military to arrest any individuals and groups not belonging to Eritrea’s four “official” religions (Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim).’

These family arrests come on top of continuing house meeting arrests. CD has confirmed that on the evening of 23 February, ‘ten believers from the Full Gospel Church meeting in a home in the Aba Shwale district of Asmara were taken to jail.’ Also, ‘of the 51 evangelicals from Asmara’s Hallelujah Church who were arrested in mid February, 46 remain under incommunicado arrest at either the Adi Abeto or Mai Serwa military prisons.’

President Isaias Afwerki claims the independent churches must be stopped because they threaten the unity of Eritrea and distort religion. However, it is suspected the government oppression is really due to pressure from the politically significant Orthodox Church, which accounts for 40% of the population. The church feels threatened by an evangelical revival within it over recent decades that is causing evangelicals to leave. Tigrinya language gospel radio broadcasts from FEBA and TWR have contributed to the widespread evangelical boom in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Eritrean government denies all allegations of persecution and boasts full religious freedom.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* President Isaias Afwerki to come to know ‘the Father’, and the only Saviour and hope for Eritrea – Jesus Christ. ‘They will do such things [persecute you] because they have not known the Father or me.’ Jesus, John 16:3

* the evangelical renewal in Eritrea to continue with growing momentum despite persecution, reaching even the leadership of the Orthodox Church and transforming the church; may God redeem the suffering and convert to good what was meant for evil.

* all imprisoned believers, especially the frail, the elderly and the children; may God strengthen the weak, rest the weary, heal the sick and wounded, giving Fatherly comfort to the fearful and distressed, and hope and eventually justice to all.

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SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ————————————————————

FAMILIES IN WIDESPREAD ARRESTS OF CHRISTIANS IN ERITREA

Evangelical Protestants in Eritrea have been severely persecuted by the government of President Isaias Afwerki since May 2002 when he closed all congregations not affiliated with the Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim mainline. At least 373 Christians – many of them teenagers – are now in prison, where they are tortured and kept in the most appalling conditions. They are pressed to recant their faith. Whole congregations and house meetings have been arrested. Raids have been conducted to find and imprison all military trainees and soldiers possessing Bibles. On 17 and 18 March, two Christian families (including children) were arrested in their homes and then imprisoned. Pray that God will comfort and strengthen them. Please pray for justice and that Eritrea’s evangelical revival will grow.

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.