07/25/2019 Eritrea (International Christian Concern)- Earlier this month, Eritrean authorities closed the last remaining Christian health facility in Zager, in their move towards closing all Church-operated health clinics. Last month alone, nearly two dozen centers run by the Catholic Church were shut down. When the clinic in Zager was closed, police reported that the nuns working were forced to leave immediately and not permitted to take medical equipment.

Over the past year, there have been several incidents regarding governmental interference and arrests of those gathering in the name of Christ. Over 100 Christians were reportedly arrested in Asmara for a private gathering in early May, while just a few weeks later 30 more believers were arrested during a prayer meeting. Most recently, ICC reported on the excommunication of a former patriarch by Eritrean Bishops, highlighting the extreme involvement of the government in religious affairs.

The Catholic Church is one of the state approved denominations in Eritrea but the government claims the closures were the enforcement of a 1995 regulation that bans the involvement of religious entities in educational, medical and agricultural programs. The curtailing of the Catholic Church’s efforts, will result in rural Eritreans experiencing a severe lack of quality health care.

For interview, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].