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Information
June 23, 2004

Churches under political pressure

A Christian’s compassion is not reserved only for fellow Christians, but is to be given to all who suffer injustice and oppression (Luke 12:29) and to those whose dark consciences press them to perpetrate evil (Matthew 5:44). Christians are encouraged to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

General information about Churches under Political Pressure:

• http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_pers.htm
• Details about the Persecuted Church in Vietnam
  • http://hrw.org/doc/?t=asia&c=vietna
• The Mennonite Church in Vietnam has appealed to Mennonites in North America and in the Mennonite World Conference to pray and advocate on their behalf, and in particular for Nguyen Hong Quang, Mennonite Church leader who was arrested on June 8.
• About Vietnam's New Ordinance on Religions

About Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang

• Quang, 45, is a lawyer and general secretary of the Mennonite Church in Vietnam, which is not officially approved by the Vietnamese government.
• Quang has displayed particular sympathy for vulnerable ethnic minorities who have suffered the massive loss of ancestral lands to unscrupulous officials. Quang’s legal training and ceaseless confrontations of injustice have led Vietnamese officials to identify him as a particularly tenacious adversary. He believes that authorities have made at least four attempts on his life.
  Quang is married with three children under 10 years of age and was called to Christian ministry in 1981. His father, who had served the previous government, was assassinated in a re-education camp shortly after the 1975 communist takeover.

Concern about new law:

On June 22, it was learned that the Vietnam Congress passed a decree to forbid all religious communication on the internet and in homes. The law is reportedly slated to take effect in November, 2004. In response to this, Nhien Pham, leader of the North American Vietnamese Mennonite Fellowship wrote, “Though the situation seems to be darker, (and) our friends have not gained their freedom yet, the VN (Vietnam) congress has just passed a decree to forbid all forms of religious communication on the internet and at homes; I believe that the sky would become darker before I become bright. Just as the story of Moses and the Pharaoh. At the end, our Lord will always wins."

How can we respond?

Suggestions for involvement are here.