Invited to home for prayers, Pastor brutally beaten, Tamil Nadu

Religious fanatics brutally beat and terrorized a Pastor, who was visiting a family, at their residence, bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala

Speaking to Persecution Relief, Pastor Benjamin Selvaraj, translating on behalf of Tamil speaking Pastor Augustine who was not very fluent in English, described the mayhem and chaos on that day.

Pastor Augustine has been ministering with “The Mountain of the Lord Prayer House”, located at Thikkurichi village, Marthandam, Kanyakumari, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Around 40 persons attend the Worship service every Sunday.

On Sunday, 15th September, 2019, Sister Vimala, one of the members of the Church, invited Pastor to her home, informing him that she was unwell. She also solicited prayers for her family members.

So, after Sunday service, accompanied by his wife, Pastor Augustine left to Sis. Vimala’s home.

While Pastor prayed for the family and had a time of fellowship, all of a sudden, a mob of religious fanatics stormed into the house! Shouting slogans and abuses, the manhandled Pastor and physically assaulted. They falsely accused him and brutally beat him, all the while recording the abuse and attack on video.

They also accused him of taking up missionary work as a cover, healing the villagers and attracting them towards Christianity.

Pastor was eventually released after being warned with dire consequences if he continued to preach and pray in homes.

Pastor who was grievously injured and had to be rushed to Doctor Alban Hospital, Attoor, Tamil Nadu for medical attention and treatment.

Church, pray for the protection and safety of Pastor Augustine and his family. Pray that his faith will not fail but he would continue to be steadfast and faithful to his calling.

The Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, but several states have outlawed forced conversions from one faith to another.

Anti-Christian violence continues to sweep through the southern state of Tamil Nadu and a spike in persecution attacks.

Persecution Relief has recorded 67 incidents of religious persecution against christians in Tamil Nadu in 2018 – the 2nd hostile state following Uttar Pradesh.

In 2019, Tamil Nadu recorded 35 incidents of hate-crimes against Christians in just the past 6 months.

Source: persecutionrelief.org