World Council of Churches condemns confiscation of Evangelical church in Iran

St Peter’s Evangelical Church in Tehran. Photo: IranWire

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has condemned the confiscation of the building complex of the Evangelical Church of St. Peter in Tehran. The organization's General Secretary Jerry Pillay called the actions of the Iranian authorities a serious violation of freedom of religion and demanded that the property be returned to believers.

According to Pillay, the eviction of residents and the cessation of worship services at the historic church threatens the country's long-standing Christian heritage. “The confiscation of church property and displacement of its community constitute a serious violation of freedom of religion or belief and threaten Iran’s longstanding Christian presence and heritage,” he said. “These developments are especially troubling in light of other recent measures affecting churches and Christian communities in the country.”

The organization expressed solidarity with the Synod of Evangelical Churches of Iran and called on the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately reverse the confiscation decision.

Jerry Pillay urged Iranian authorities to ensure the protection of all Christian communities and places of worship in accordance with international human rights law. "The WCC stands in solidarity with the Council of Evangelical Churches of Iran and all those affected, and urges the Iranian authorities to uphold human dignity, religious freedom, and the rights of religious minorities in accordance with international human rights law," Pillay concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Iranian authorities began confiscating the Protestant Church of St. Peter in Tehran, ordering 20 Christian families to immediately vacate the complex's premises under threat of arrest.

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