Posted by Thawngsian Tung (CNC-Japan)
Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
07 January, 2009
SPDC's local authorities have locked a Chin church in South Dagon township of Rangoon – former capital city of Burma - on 22 December 2008, accusing the church was built without permission.
Mr. Ko Ko Hlaing of Township Peace and Development Committee and his men came to the church in the evening around 6 pm and shut the door, according to the church pastor Joy whose full name remains anonymous for security reasons.
The Chin pastor and his church members were not able to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
"Our church has been running for two years and we have ten thousands unreached people in our neighborhood. The church is closed down now. We need your prayer and supports urgently so the building is re-opened and can run our ministries continuously," said the church pastor, 36, a Matu-Chin from Southern Chin State.
The church has applied for building permission several times but it has never been granted and it is not strange to hear that religious persecution is still happening in our country, according to Chin activist and pastor Shwekey Hoipang, a close friend of Pastor Joy.