ERITREA: Burial Refused for Deceased Pastor

Source: VOMC
Sources: Release Eritrea, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Church in Chains

Pastor Tesfay Seyoum was the founding leader of the Eritrean Meserete Kristos Church. Because of his Christian faith and involvement in a non-approved religious group, Pastor Tesfay spent ten years in prison.

While imprisoned, he developed a serious brain tumour. Members of his church, along with his family, tried to arrange for the detained Christian leader to receive medical care, but their requests were denied. Eventually, prison officials sent him for treatment at a hospital in Asmara, where he died (only five days later) on April 9th.

Cultural norms in Eritrea call for burials to occur as soon as possible and to take place within the deceased person's home area. Yet, as Pastor Tesfay's family members mourned the loss of their loved one, they were forbidden from burying his body in either of the local cemeteries located within their hometown because of his evangelical faith.

The Christian leader's body was initially taken home but then had to be returned to the hospital morgue for keeping until the situation was resolved. Finally, the body of Pastor Tesfay was laid to rest at the St. Teklehaymanot Cemetery in a suburb north of Asmara on April 22nd – 13 days after his death. Pastor Tesfay, who was in his 60s, leaves behind a grieving wife and their only child. 

Additional information about the ongoing oppression of Christians in Eritrea, as well as related video podcasts/documentaries, are available at our country report.

During this time of mourning, please lift up the family members and friends of Pastor Tesfay before God's throne of grace. 

Pray that the Lord's abiding presence will be tangibly experienced by each one; and that His perfect peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds – giving them strength to carry on.... 

Pray that the Gospel message will continue to spread throughout Eritrea, and that God's people will remain faithful and strong despite the government's intense opposition.