Ten thousand churches closed in Africa due to stricter laws

Baptism in Africa. Photo: Orthodox Life

Africa is facing a major crisis due to the tightening of government regulations, which have led to the closure of nearly 10,000 churches, with thousands more being at risk of government closure.

According to Christian Newswire, the closures are the result of new laws requiring pastors to have a bachelor's degree, as well as measures aimed at preventing clergy abuse. In Rwanda alone, almost 10,000 churches have already been closed, and other African countries are following suit.

Dr. Steven Isaac, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Fully Equipped Bible Institute, which operates in Africa and meets with pastors and Christian leaders, noted that most clergy are deeply concerned about the situation. "Almost every pastor I spoke with is deeply concerned, and most have experienced persecution, including a pastor whose building was seized and converted to a mosque. What governments are requiring will result in church closures across Africa," he said.

Isaac also emphasized that for most pastors, meeting the new requirements is practically impossible. They lack the financial means to obtain higher education, and rural clergy cannot leave their congregations and families because they need to earn a living through daily work.

As reported by the UOJ, the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, stated that the government can restrict freedom of conscience or religious freedom, even when national security is not at stake.

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