Christian Leader in Laos Gunned Down Amid Rising Persecution
On Monday, Pastor Thongkham Philavanh, a 40-year-old tribal Khmu leader and provincial head of the Lao Evangelical Church (LEC), was shot and killed by two men on motorcycles in Vanghay, a hamlet in northern Laos.
Pastor Thongkham was out feeding his livestock in his yard when he was approached by men on a motorcycle. The pastor exchanged words with the men before one of them opened fire from his pistol. The assailant shot seven bullets into the pastor. Thongkham was rushed to the provincial hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
The clergyman’s death is reminiscent of the murder of Pastor Seetoud of Don Keo village in 2022. Pastor Thongkham often actively shared the gospel, also hosted trainings for junior pastors, and even shared the Jesus film.
Village locals claim the clergyman was closely watched by the authorities and had been warned several times to stop his Christian activities. Local Christians and members of LEC have expressed shock and grief on social media. A week before the pastor was killed, he and LEC leaders had just recently dedicated the expansion of the church building as the congregation had grown.
Despite having a law that assures freedom of religion and expression, persecution remains growing in Laos. Christians are often imprisoned for practicing their religion. Some of them were driven out of their houses, and their properties were confiscated by local authorities. The death of Thongkham has raised the level of fear of Christians in his community, leading many others to take precautions.
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Content Credit| Ajibola Emmanuel Adebayo
Picture Credit |
https://s4c.news/2024/07/27/lao-pastor-killed-by-masked-gunmen/
