Persecution & Prayer Alert

"Let all who take refuge in You rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy, and spread
Your protection over them, that those who
love Your name may exult in You."
~ Psalm 5:11 ESV

Bishop's Home Attacked

^{Bishop Vincent Samuel}

In the early morning of October 17, the home of Vincent Samuel, the Catholic bishop of the diocese of Neyyatinkara in the southern state of Kerala was attacked by four people armed with wooden staffs. A security guard was injured and three vehicles were damaged. Those responsible fled when a police patrol approached. The reasons for the attack are uncertain, but the local mafia is believed to be responsible. The bishop is known to be an outspoken advocate against the problem of alcoholism in the area.

(Source: AsiaNews)

Update: Government Attempts to Intervene in Court Case

Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on an upcoming court case defending the rights of Dalit Christians in India (click here for details). The Court heard the case on October 18. The Indian government argued that since a Commission has been appointed to look into the matter, the Court should dismiss the case. The judges disagreed, saying the issue was a matter of constitutionality and thus within their rights to continue hearing the case. The next hearing is scheduled for October 25.

(Source: AICC India)

Chinese Leader Arrested and Beaten for Providing Aid

^{Picture from}^{China Aid}

On October 11, a prominent Christian activist, Hua Huiqi, was arrested in his home in Beijing. He was accused of aiding Sun Xiaodi who, earlier this year, had sought to appeal to government authorities in Beijing to stop the religious persecution that she and her house church were facing in her native Gansu province. She was subsequently arrested on April 28, 2005.

After seven hours of intense abuse and interrogation, Hua was released. Speaking to Bob Fu of China Aid Association, Hua said he was handcuffed the entire time. He was beaten and kicked repeatedly. Whenever he was asked a question, he was slapped in the face before he had a chance to answer. Hua told Fu, "Though I was beaten by the interrogators repeatedly, I told them I love and pray for them instead of hating them. They told me I am a strange man."

Praise God for Hua's release and for the testimony of Christ-likeness that he was able to demonstrate while being interrogated. Pray for Hua and others as they serve Christ's Church in this very difficult land.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China, click here. Several video clips from China are also available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

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