INDONESIA: Community Clashes Halt Christmas ActivitiesSources: Morning Star News, Faharas News, The Christian Post, ECSPE
Believers in Indonesia.
Photo: VOMC |
Much of the harassment encountered by followers of Jesus in Indonesia arises from local community members who are opposed to Christian activities. Two recent incidents of community opposition have affected churches in their preparations for this Christmas season.
On December 1st, a church choir in the village of Caile, which is located within South Celebes Province, was rehearsing for a Christmas service when a group of community members suddenly interrupted the meeting. The opposing Muslim villagers insisted that the church members obtain permission from community leaders in order to conduct the practice session. The head of the community association, a man known as Aples, told the members of the Catholic church that the gathering also had to be reported to the local government, further explaining that he was working as a mediator to "protect [his] Catholic friends."
According to one parishioner, the practice was taking place in a multipurpose building. Although the facility had originally been constructed for use as a place of worship, opposition from local Muslims has prevented church leaders from holding any services there. Instead, worship gatherings are taking place in a home outside the community, and the building is being used for other church activities.
In a separate incident on December 8th, Christians were prevented from attending a Christmas service at a pastor's house in Cibinong, West Java, when approximately 100 protestors blocked the believers from accessing the home. The community members claimed that the pastor was not authorized to hold the service in his residence.
According to Pastor Nicky Jefta Makaray, meeting in a private home does not require permission from the Indonesian government. Nevertheless, he had given prior notice to the neighbourhood association, the head of the residents' association, the local police, as well as the military. After tense discussions with the protestors, the pastor changed the location of the service to an open field. However, access was also blocked to that location, preventing the Christians from gathering together to celebrate Christmas.
For Christians in Indonesia and other nations around the world, Christmas is frequently a time of increased hostility from those who oppose the message of Christ. Further information on the persecution of the church in Indonesia is available at our (removed links)
Pray that God will provide the members of these churches needed encouragement, comfort and guidance as they deal with the objections of their opposing neighbours. Ask the Lord to also provide these believers wisdom as they mediate with community leaders who may likewise disapprove of their Christian beliefs. May He honour the desire of these congregation members by making a way for them to gather peaceably together to worship Him – not only during this Christmas season but also throughout the new year and beyond….
SUDAN: Church Leaders Face Violence from Multiple SidesSources: ACI Africa, Catholic News Agency, Morning Star News
A church in Sudan.
Photo: Flickr / David Stanley |
The bishop of the El-Obeid diocese in Sudan recently suffered a harrowing ordeal at the hands of both members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and those of the opposing rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On December 1st, Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali reported that he was travelling with a deacon named Joseph. The ministry team had just arrived in El-Obeid when they were suddenly stopped and harassed by the SAF. The troops seized the small sum of money in U.S. dollars that the bishop was carrying, claiming that it was forbidden currency. During the robbery, the soldiers also physically harmed the two men.
Shortly after the December 1st incident, Bishop Tombe Trille and Deacon Joseph were accosted by RSF members who proceeded to severely beat the Christian leaders. The bishop believes that the rebels had intended to kill them, but one of the soldiers in the group eventually persuaded the others to stop the beating. When the assailants departed from the scene, the assaulted church leaders were left abandoned with serious head and neck injuries.
This is not the first time that Bishop Tombe Trille has been dangerously threatened. On April 20th, 2023, he and other members of the clergy narrowly escaped death when rockets hit the premises of his residence, destroying the main gate of the cathedral, as well as his home. Thankfully, no one was injured during that incident. Despite the threats against him, the bishop has been a vocal opponent of the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, publicly urging both sides to lay down their weapons. For more reports addressing the violence perpetrated against Christians in Sudan, go to our (removed) links removed:
Please pray for the complete healing of Bishop Tombe Trille, Deacon Joseph, and their fellow clergy members, as they recover physically and/or emotionally from the attacks perpetrated against them. May these Christian leaders, and the many other believers in Sudan who are encountering harassment because of their faith, be divinely protected from any further threats against them. All the while, may they sense the Lord's reassuring presence. In general, pray that there would finally be an end to the long-term civil war in Sudan, so that lasting peace and harmony can be established throughout this African nation.
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