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100 churches ordered closed in Rangoon, Burma
by Scott Gilbreath ~ January 16th, 2009
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has received reports from Burma (Myanmar) that local authorities in Rangoon (Yangon), the country’s former capital, are ordering churches to stop holding worship services and threatening to jail disobedient pastors. As many as 80 percent of the city’s churches could be affected.
The campaign appears to be particularly targeted at churches meeting in apartment buildings, rather than churches that own their own building and land.
According to a report by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), officials from the local branch of the Ministry of Religious Affairs summoned the owners of buildings in which churches were meeting, and issued them with an order prohibiting the use of private property for religious purposes.
“Christians are worried that they will not be allowed to worship anymore, even in their own house,” said one pastor in a report received by CSW.
One pastor in Rangoon, who cannot be named for security reasons, claimed in a report received by CSW that several churches have now been locked and sealed, including three churches in South Dagon Township: the Evangelical Baptist Church, the Karen Baptist Church and the Dagon Joshua Church.
Authorities have not given any reason for the crackdown.
In 2007, a document said to originate in the Ministry of Religious Affairs outlined a programme to eradicate Christianity in Burma.
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