Christian Prisoner Suffers Mental Breakdown

12 January 2005

^{Photo Used by Permission}

On November 24, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported that Le Thi Hong Lien had been admitted to hospital, reportedly suffering from mental illness. Lien had been arrested in March 2004 and was the only woman of the six Mennonite workers imprisoned along with Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang. In November, she was sentenced to one year in prison (for more information, click here).

Since the November report, more information on her condition has come to light, including a report from her father. Many of the details of Lien's abuse are extremely disturbing. When Le Quang Du was able to visit his daughter on December 14, she had to be dragged into the room. She clung to him, weeping. According to the prison authorities, she has suffered a complete mental breakdown and has to be bound hand and feet in order to control her. She has lost control of her bodily functions and is beaten when she soils her clothing. Despite Lien's condition, the authorities refuse to release her and continue to mistreat and abuse her. She is denied any treatment. Her condition is reportedly deteriorating and she needs help immediately.

^{Le Quang Du}

To read a translation of Le Quang Du's report on his daughter, click here.

We urge people from around the world to intervene with the Vietnamese authorities, calling on them to release her so that she can have the treatment she so desperately requires. Glenn Penner, Communications Director for Voice of the Martyrs, has written an editorial weblog appealing for your help in this case entitled, "Weep and Get Angry." You can read it here.

Contact information is available below. We also urge you to write the Vietnamese embassies in your local country. Contact information is available through our website.

His Excellency Phan Van Khai
Office of the Prime Minister
Hoang Hoa Tham
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

President Tran Duc Luong
Office of the President
35 Ngo Quyen
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Phone Number for Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi:
+844-845-8201
+844-845-9205

Fax numbers for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi:
+ 844-199-2682
+ 844-823-4137

Please mark your appeals: "For the attention of President Tran Duc Luong" or "For the attention of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai"

Contact your operator if necessary for the international prefix needed in your country. In North America, add 011 before international phone numbers. Other contact information is available on an Advocate's Pack that you can download (click here).

For more information on the terrible situation facing Christians in Vietnam, click here.

Vietnam

Current Ministry Project
By helping to provide solid Biblical teaching and training uniquely suited to the needs of a specific tribal group, VOMC is able to equip members of Vietnam’s persecuted church to stand firm in their faith and reach out to others in their communities with the powerful message of the Gospel.

Project Fund: Underground Church
Country Information
Population
104,799,174 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Kinh [Viet] (85.3), Tay (1.9), Thai (1.9), Muong (1.5), Khmer (1.5), Mong (1.4), Nung (1.1), Hoa (1), others (5.5)

Religion (%)
Catholic (6.1), Buddhist (7.9), Protestant (1), Other (0.8) none (86.3%)

Leader
President To Lam (May 2024)

Government type
Communist state

Legal system
Civil law system

Source: CIA World Factbook

Pray for Vietnam

We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.
Pray for Vietnam
We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

Vietnam News

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A village in northeastern Vietnam.
Photo: Pexels / Quang Nguyen Vinh

While a Catholic priest was meeting with approximately 20 worshippers in a private residence on August 11th, local police abruptly cut off the power supply of the building and proceeded to raid the gathering, demanding an immediate cessation of the service. This incident occurred in Binh Khang – a village located in Vietnam's northeastern province of Thái Nguyên – at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Read more...
Pastor Arrested for Alleged Anti-State Propaganda

Police in Ho Chi Minh City

Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested a 71-year-old pastor named Nguyen Manh Hung on January 16th after he was accused of spreading anti-state propaganda through social media. If convicted, the Christian leader could face up to 20 years in prison.

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Christians Face Opposition and Violence

A village in Vietnam.

Christian workers in Vietnam are requesting urgent prayer on behalf of believers who have recently experienced situations of severe persecution. In response to the ongoing concern, VOMC's partnering ministry office in Australia has been providing the affected Christians with greatly needed financial assistance.

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New Believer Slain by Unknown Assailants

A village in Vietnam.
Photo: Flickr / Michael Mooney (cc)

In August of this year, a widower and father of two referred to as "Brother Man" came to faith in Christ. When news of the believer's conversion became known, he began to encounter intense pressure from local authorities.

In the first incident, Brother Man was ordered to leave his home. When he refused to do so, the local authorities then confiscated his land and forbade him from contacting any other Christians. Despite the opposition, the follower of Jesus remained firm in his newfound faith.

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