World Watch Monitor, August 2, 2019
Eritrea’s Orthodox patriarch, Abune Antonios, placed under house arrest in 2007 after he refused the regime’s attempts to interfere with church affairs, has been expelled by pro-government bishops for heresy in a move widely seen as part of a government push for more control over the Eritrean Church.
Eritrea’s Christian gospel singer Helen Berhane, who was imprisoned for her faith, had raised the issue of religious persecution and the plight of the 90-year-old church leader with US President Donald Trump in Washington the previous day.
The patriarch, who suffers from health problems, allegedly said his fellow clergy did not care for his wellbeing.
Eritrea is 7th on Open Doors International’s 2019 World Watch List of the 50 countries in which it is most difficult to live as a Christian.