Protestantism in Eritrea

According to the Pew Research Center, Protestants in Eritrea number about 40,000, which represents less than 1% of the population.[1] The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea is one of the four officially recognized religious institutions in Eritrea; however, Protestants of other denominations (particularly Jehovah's Witnesses) face persecution from the Eritrean government.[2] The United States Department of State (USDoS) names it a Country of Particular Concern due to its violation of religious liberty.[2] It has been reported that entire families are thrown into jail.[3] According to the Barnabas Fund, Christians (regardless of denomination) in Eritrea have been subjected to torture, including being held in shipping containers.[4]

See also: P'ent'ay

History

Protestantism has had a presence in Eritrea for over 150 years. The Swedish Evangelical Mission (SEM) first sent missionaries to preach to the Kunama people in 1866.[5] Between the late-19th and late-20th centuries, the SEM undertook the task of translating the Bible into various Eritrean languages.[6]

Jehovah's Witnesses have been a target of government persecution since Eritrea's independence, as they opposed the referendum for independence and have refused to participate in compulsory military service. They have been stripped of their rights and subjected to imprisonment; the United States Department of State reports that 24 Jehovah's Witnesses are currently detained.[7][2]

In 2002, the Eritrean government closed down places of worship of all unrecognized religious groups, including Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestant churches separate from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea. The USDoS reports that 345 church leaders and between 800 and 1,000 laypeople are currently detained.[7][2]

Denominations

Amnesty International reports that the following evangelical denominations are present in Eritrea:[7]

  • Seventh-day Adventists
  • Mullu Wongel (Full Gospel) Church
  • Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church
  • Meseret Kristos Church
  • Rema Church
  • Hallelujah Church
  • Faith Mission
  • Faith Church of Christ
  • Philadelphia Church
  • Presbyterian Evangelical Church
  • Trinity Fellowship Church
  • Dubre Bethel Church
  • Church of the Living God
  • New Covenant Church

References
  1. "Religions in Eritrea". Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project. 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  2. "2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Eritrea". U.S. Department of State. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  3. "ADVOCATING FOR PERSECUTED EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN ERITREA". Archived from the original on 2007-09-26.
  4. "Eritrea". Barnabas Fund. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  5. Andemariam, Senai W. (2012). "The Story of the Translation of the Bible into Tǝgre". Ityop̣is. 2: 62–88. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. Andemariam, Senai W. (2013). "Who should take the Credit for the Bible Translation Works carried out in Eritrea?". Aethiopica (16): 102–129.
  7. "Eritrea:Religious Persecution" (PDF). Amnesty International.
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