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New law restricts Vietnam house churches

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — The Vietnamese government planned to implement a new ordinance on November 15 which specifies that religious activities can only be carried out within church properties. Since house churches do not own church properties, their leaders fear a strict implementation of the new ordinance will further restrict their activities.

Though Vietnam's constitution guarantees freedom to follow a religion or to follow no religion, the ruling party has clearly stated that they intend to control or manage religious groups and their activities.

Many independent house churches in Ho Chi Minh City have been able to meet quite openly. For several years officials have talked about the possibility of eventually registering some of these house churches.

In August, officials of the government's bureau of religious affairs contacted some Mennonite leaders about procedures which could lead to the registration of the Vietnam Mennonite Church. At that time, six Mennonite leaders, four with no charges laid against them, were in prison.

House church leaders today are not optimistic about current government policies, particularly since the six jailed Mennonite leaders were tried and sentenced to up to three years in prison on November 12.

Members of the churches note that when they react to the restrictions of the authorities, they are charged with resisting persons carrying out their official duties — the persecution of religious believers!