Christian Persecution – Americas

80-year old US Pastor abducted by gang in Haiti; “I’ve come to plead”

An 80-year old American citizen and pastor Jean Pierre Ferrer Michel remains in captivity after being abducted by gunmen in Haiti on October 3, nearly two weeks before 16 American missionaries and a Canadian were kidnapped together by a Haitian gang on the island, the Miami Herald (MH) reports. Both the US Embassy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have reportedly been contacted about Pastor Michel’s situation on account of his US citizenship.

Cuban government seeking 10-year jail term for Pastor, “My children and I plead for help”

Authorities in Cuba are looking to impose a 10-year prison sentence on a pastor who participated in nationwide peaceful protests against the government on July 11, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Currently held at the Boniato maximum security prison, Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo of the Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano has been charged with ‘public disorder,’ and ‘disrespect’ among other offenses.

Canada: Pastor spends second night in jail to stand for religious freedom

A pastor in Manitoba, Canada spent an additional night in prison last week after rejecting bail conditions that would have prevented him from preaching at his church, Fox News reports. Pastor Tobias Tissen who leads Manitoba’s Church of God Restoration was imprisoned for two days after violating a COVID-19 order which banned outdoor gatherings of more than five people.

Chile: Two more churches destroyed in ongoing wave of arson attacks

In the latest of a wave of arson attacks on churches in Chile, two churches in the Biobio region were burned to the ground on October 12, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. The attacks on both Protestant and Catholic churches in Chile began in 2015.

17 American Missionaries Abducted In Haiti

Some 17 American Christian missionaries and their families, including children, have been kidnapped by a notorious gang in Haiti, Christian and security sources say.

Canada Court Sentences COVID Sceptic Pastor

A Canadian court has sentenced an outspoken pastor, his brother, and an anti-mask cafe owner in the western Canadian province of Alberta for rallying against COVID-19 restrictions.

Canada pastor re-arrested on COVID-19 charges

Canadian pastor Artur Pawlowski, who faces criminal charges pertaining to violations of COVID-19 protocols at his church services, was re-arrested at Calgary International Airport as he stepped off a plane from the US on Monday, Global News reports. Pawlowski was released on bail on Monday night.

Mexico: Protestant families persecuted by Catholic community leaders

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling on Mexico to address a “culture of impunity” that has allowed two Protestant families from the First Baptist Church in La Mesa Limantitla to be threatened with forced displacement on account of their faith by Catholic community leaders, CSW reports.

Christian rights group slams new Cuban law restricting freedom of speech

The international rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has publicly condemned a new law issued by the Cuban government which restricts freedom of speech online by criminalizing calls to peaceful protest and criticism of the government. Touted as a ‘cybersecurity law, Legal Decree 35 was published on August 17 in the wake of last month’s nationwide protests against the government.

Urgent request for prayer for Haiti; specific requests include prayer for strength of the Haitian church

Haitian Christians have issued an urgent call for prayer after another deadly earthquake violently shook their already-embattled island nation at the weekend, killing nearly 2,000 people and injuring and displacing thousands more, Christianity Today reports. Saturday’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck as Haitians were still processing the assassination of their president Jovenel Moïse last month, an act of violence that illustrates the long-term death-grip that violence, poverty, and corruption have had on Haiti.

Cuban Pastor Sent to Maximum Security Prison After Peaceful Protest

On July 11th, a Cuban pastor by the name of Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, and his 17-year-old son, were arrested by State Security officers during a peaceful protest against President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s televised “military order” for revolutionaries to retake the streets by force. Although Pastor Fajardo has not yet been tried or sentenced, he has now been transferred to the Boniato Maximum Security Prison outside of Santiago de Cuba.

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