Tags

Attack

• Christians Dealing with Aftermath of Mob Attack

  

  A small gathering of Christians suffered severe beatings during an attack on November 13th in which a mob, accompanied by a village leader, interrupted their Sunday worship service. The mob burst into the home where the believers had gathered and forcibly removed two families from the residence before brutally beating them. Since coming to faith in Christ four months prior to this attack, these families received harassment from other villagers. They have been accused of converting to a foreign religion and luring innocent tribal people to Christianity.

• Theological College Shelled by Military

  

  Four young men were wounded when Myanmar's military shelled the Kachin Theological Seminary on November 3rd. The attack happened in Kutkai, Shan State – a state where there has been recurring fighting between the military and various ethnic rebel groups. However, there were no ongoing conflicts reported taking place in or near the town of Kutkai, leading many to believe that the attack against the school was intentional.

• Church Building Seized and Damaged

  

  As fighting between resistance forces and government soldiers in Myanmar intensifies, churches are frequently being targeted by the country's ruling military junta. In mid-September, the Mother of God Catholic Church in Mobye, Shan State, was seized by troops. For several days, the military used the building as a kitchen for its soldiers, resulting in damages to the building. As part of the offensive, the community was hit by air strikes and heavy weapons, resulting in the destruction of more than 100 homes and the displacement of more than 5,000 people.

• Dozens Kidnapped from Two Church Services

  

  Suspected Fulani herdsmen stormed a church in Suleja, Niger State, in the early morning of September 17th. Several of the church members who had gathered for an all-night prayer vigil were kidnapped, along with the pastor.

• Attacks Resulting in Fatalities and Kidnappings

  

  More than 20 Christians lost their lives in attacks that took place recently in Nigeria's Taraba State during the first half of August. In one such incident, the St. Agnes Catholic Church in the village of Dinya was raided on August 14th. At the time of the attack, a spiritual teacher working for the church was kidnapped by the perpetrators. According to the parish priest, Rev. Lawrence Awua, the assailants entered the building at around 10 p.m. and began shooting sporadically. The church's teacher, Gidion Tsehemba, heard the noise and came to investigate, which led to his abduction.

• Police Intervene in Mob Attack

  

  On Sunday, August 7th, hundreds of Christian families in Lahore fled their homes when they saw a large mob marching towards their church building. It was only through the intervention of police that the building was preserved and an attack on the Christians' homes had been averted.

• Mob Violence Erupts After Official Approval of Church

  

  In 2016, a government committee was established in Egypt to work through more than 3,700 applications for the legalization of previously unlicenced church buildings. While the process has been slow, since that time almost 2,000 church buildings have been legally approved. (For more details, see this previously posted report.)

• Dozens Slain in Recent Church Attack

  

  Hundreds of Christians were gathered to celebrate Pentecost Sunday at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria, on June 5th when the service was disrupted by gunshots and explosions. As worshippers attempted to flee the building, gunmen shot them down, both inside and outside the building. When the bloodshed was complete, dozens lay dead – including children. Surviving victims were rushed to the hospital with injuries. It is believed that the number of fatalities could reach as high as 100.

• Inaction Against Accused Police Officer

  

  On February 5th, the thatched-roof building where Christians in Kistaram, Chhattisgarh, used to gather for worship had been burned to the ground. Investigations suggest that an opposing local police officer named Bhavesh Shinde was responsible for the crime. (To review information provided in our initial report on the attack, go to our country report.)

• Attacks Against Christians Expand to a New State

  

  An explosion rocked a market in Isware, Nigeria, on April 19th, killing six people and injuring more than a dozen. In a statement issued the next day, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility, stating that the attack was intended to target "a gathering of infidel Christians."