ASIA/VIETNAM - Attacks and arrests in a Mennonite Christian Center

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Hanoi (Agenzia Fides) - Gunmen and police officers raided a Christian Mennonite center in Binh Duong Province. Militants and police raided the center armed with iron bars and hammers during the night of 12 November, terrorizing Christians who were staying at the center. Nine Christians were arrested by police on charges of not having a temporary residence permit. The attack is the latest in a series: in June this year 76 Christians at the center were beaten by a mob of over 300 people, led by the local chief police.
According to a report by the Mennonite Church in Binh Duong, reported to Fides by the NGO "Christian Solidarity Worldwide", thugs and police continue to harass Christians, day and night, and stop their religious meetings, saying that they are illegal. According to the report, at least 34 faithful were injured in a number of raids. The head of the church, Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, has appealed to the UN and organizations that protect human rights "to put an end to the violence perpetrated by the police in Binh Duong against Mennonites".
Mennonites are part of the Anabaptist churches. They are named after Menno Simons (1496-1561). Today there are about 1.5 million members throughout the world, especially in the United States. Since the end of the nineteenth century they are also present in Asia. They are pacifists and live in small communities based on poverty and charity. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/11/2014)


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