Lao Christians must renounce their faith or face expulsion

The Fides news agency is reporting that Christians in Laos are being required to either renounce their faith in Christ or be expelled despite the freedom of religious liberty granted by the Lao Constitution:

The civil authorities of the district of Atsaphangthong, in the province of Savannakhet, have determined that the Christian Lao citizens in the various villages in the district, must renounce their faith, otherwise they risk expulsion from the district. As Fides learns, the measure was enacted given the growing number of conversions to Christianity in several villages. The decision was announced on 21 September, during an official meeting of members of the civil authorities with the population of the village of Huay [more].

Chapel confiscated in Laos

In February, officials in Laos confiscated a Catholic chapel in the Savannakhek province, forcing the faithful to worship outside on Holy Saturday and without a priest.

On Saturday, three local Catholics were arrested and questioned by security officials after they removed a closure notice which was posted on the main door of the chapel by government officials in February. 

The faithful had also gathered outside the chapel to celebrate Palm Sunday.
Sister Seusy said priests from elsewhere are still being prevented from providing pastoral services for local Catholics [more].

Persecutions in Laos

In the Communist nation of Laos, authorities of the village of Boukham arrested seven Christian leaders on December 16, 2011 and put them in the stocks for violating the traditional customs of the villagers even though Christianity is protected under the Lao constitution.  They were finally released on December 30, 2011 and fined.  The village officials are in violation of the law.

In the village of Huey, a deceased Christian woman was refused a Christian burial by village leaders on Christmas Day.

In the village of Natoo, village leaders on December 21, 2011 ordered 47 Christians - the only Christians in Natoo - to renounce their faith in Christ or be expelled from the village.