Rwanda: Thousands of churches shut

The Rwandan authorities have begun shutting churches en masse, a process that is being driven by ‘dictatorial paranoia,’ according to persecuted church agency Open Doors. It has revealed that over 6,000 churches, mainly smaller independents, have been forced to close since August, following new legislation, with roughly 15,000 closures in total since 2018.

The laws were purportedly enacted for health and safety reasons, as well as to prevent church corruption. Now churches must soundproof their buildings and install specific canvas ceilings (themselves serious fire hazards). All churches must have lightning conductors and there must be a parking space for each member. Furthermore, every pastor must have a theological degree from an accredited institution and any church wishing to register with the authorities must prove it has at least 1,000 members.

Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, believes the country had too many churches and has condemned what he called ‘mushrooming churches’ that ‘squeeze even the last penny from poor Rwandans’.