World Council of Churches condemns confiscation of evangelical church in Iran
Secretary General Jerry Pillay demanded the return of the St. Peter's Church complex to believers.
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 the expulsion of the community constitute a serious violation of freedom of religion or belief and threaten the longstanding Christian presence in Iran," the WCC head stated.
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 calls on the authorities of Iran to uphold human dignity, religious freedom, and the rights of religious minorities," the WCC Secretary General said.
Earlier, the SPJ 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.
