Three Indonesian churches sealed shut

JAMBI, Indonesia — While church members wept, the Jambi Civil Service Police pasted a notice declaring a Methodist church sealed because of lack of a permit.

Officials in Jambi, on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra, escorted members of the congregation out before sealing the door shut. Christian leaders said authorities closed the church building and two others Sept. 27 to appease Muslim hard-liners preparing a protest for the next day, according to news outlet Gatra.com and social media sites.
Authorities cited lack of permits and violating public order for closing two other Christian churches.

Indonesia ranked 38th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2018 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. (MS)