VIETNAM - Imprisoned Vietnamese Priest Suffers Severe Stroke

Father Nguyen Van Ly, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in March 2007, recently suffered a severe stroke, according to Forum 18 News. He was admitted to the military hospital in Hanoi. At last report, he was semi-paralyzed but was conscious and able to speak.
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Update: Imprisoned Vietnamese priest suffers severe stroke

Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), who was sentenced to eight years in prison in March 2007 (click here for more information), recently suffered a severe stroke. He was admitted to the military hospital in Hanoi. At last report, he was semi-paralyzed but was conscious and able to speak. Family members report that he is being treated well. (Source: AsiaNews)

Pray that Father Van Ly will have a full recovery. Pray for strength for his loved ones at this time.

Church Registration in Vietnam Inches Along

Compass Direct News reports that the Assemblies of God (AoG) in Vietnam have received an "operating license," which the government described as "the first step . . .before becoming officially legal." This operating license, officially given on Oct. 19, gives permission for all of the congregations of the Vietnam AoG to "carry on religious activity" anywhere in the country for the next year. During this time the church body must prepare adoctrinal statement, a constitution and bylaws and a four-year working plan to be approved by the government before being allowed to hold an organizing assembly. The operating license is the first one granted since five were granted two years ago. The last of those five churches, the Christian Fellowship Church, was finally allowed to hold its organizing assembly in late September. Only about 10 percent of the many hundreds of applications have received a favorable reply, they said, leaving most house churches vulnerable to arbitrary harassment or worse.