Vietnam: 11 Christians Imprisoned for Their Faith Have Disappeared

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Six Protestants and five Catholics in Vietnam have disappeared after being imprisoned by the ruling communist government for religious activity deemed threatening to “national unity.”

The 11 missing Christian men were sentenced at various times between 2011-2016 to a combined total of 90 years in jail. Their whereabouts are currently unknown, highlighting the persecution of Christians in Vietnam.

Protestants Ro Mah Pla, Siu Hlom, Rmah Bloanh, and Rmah Khil were convicted of “undermining national unity policy” because of their affiliation with Degar Protestantism, a religious denomination that has been banned by Vietnam’s communist government, ICC reports. The Degar people are an indigenous tribal people that live in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Catholics Runh, A Kuin, A Tik, Run, and Dinh Kuh were similarly accused of “undermining national unity policy” for being part of the Ha Mon Catholic Church, another denomination that is banned in Vietnam.

In a website statement, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization requests prayer for Christians in Vietnam: “Pray for Christians from ethnic minorities—that God would protect them and strengthen them to stand firm in their faith. Pray that the country’s Communist leaders would open their hearts to the Christian community and allow them to worship freely.”

International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Buddhist-majority Vietnam ranks 35 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

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