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Nov. 2, 2009 As an update to the earlier article on Toru Goto’s (not the swimmer) escape from his kidnappers here a letter from Japan of one who works to find church members who have beenl abducted:
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Hello all, I am Sam *** and I have been working to stop kidnapping of our members. I would like to report to you our current status in Japan. In July, our list of *currently kidnapped* members went down to one:
The others on the list announced their retirement from the Unification Church. In August, we got 2 more:
Last friday, we got 1 more,
Today, I got a report of
This brings our current list to 5. All of these members are in their twenties, working passionately for God. They are ready to dedicate their lives for the providence and are very promising young leaders. I really feel so bad as a leader in the Unification Church that we were not able to protect these dedicated young leaders, our beloved young brothers and sisters. I personally know the fiance of *Momoyo*. I communicate with him every day as he visits her parents' home, the police, the homes and churches of the professional faith-breakers', trying to find any clue of her whereabouts. I am also very close to *Takashi*. For some time, he had lived under a different family name to hide his whereabouts from his parents. We often shared our kidnapping experiences and encouraged each other and I would give him guidance occasionally. I don't know why, but the frequency of kidnapping is getting worse. Many young members are in fear as they work for their mission, as they go home to their parents, as they go to their school or work, because they may be kidnapped today. They thank every night that they were able to live another day working for God. That's how they live in Japan. We need help. We need your prayers. We need to do whatever we can to stop this. Sincerely, Sam ***
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August 21, 2009 Japanese Unification Church member kidnapped and imprisoned |
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Go to youtube for more videos on this issue: |
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This article on a website of the American Unification Church (a.k.a. Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) provides a few more details. A newer article on the same website quotes a statement of the American Clergy Leadership Conference: |
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“As faith leaders we must say that we were shocked to see photos of Mr. Goto taken just after he escaped last year. He looked in every way the same as survivors of Holocaust death camps of Germany. We must say that we are even more shocked that in such a modern democratic society as Japan this egregious violation has not been fully prosecuted based on existing laws. We call upon the Japanese government, media and all appropriate law enforcement authorities to demonstrate Japan’s rightful position as a global leader by bringing this case and the lawbreakers to justice. The 20,000 pastors of the ACLC will fully work from America and through the United Nations to support these efforts.” |
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March 9, 2009 On Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Kazakhstan plans to release from jail Elizaveta Drenicheva, a Unification Church missionary whose sermon on original sin was ruled a crime against peace and security of humankind. Her sentence has been commuted to time served but she still has to pay a fine of US$ 200 plus court costs of US$ 800. While this may come as a relief to watchers of religious and human rights, reasons for future concern remain. According to a Washington Times article also other religious groups still are subject to reprisals. Just after Miss Drenicheva was jailed, the head of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Kazakhstan, B. B. Govinda Swami, was denied entry despite having a valid visa. Kazakhstan also continues to jail baptist priests for unregistered worship. Despite the commutation of Mrs. Drenicheva’s sentence and her release from jail the guilty verdict against her still stands. Unification Church members intend to appeal. |
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Earlier articles on the subject: Forum 18 on Kazakhstan religious freedom issue (February 2009):
For more updates see the links on the article page. |
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January 10, 2009 Almaty/Vienna: On January 9, 2009 Elizaveta Drenicheva (28) had to go to jail in Almaty, the second capitol of Kazakhstan. The pronounced punishment for the young missionary is no less than two years behind bars in a district prison. According to the prosecutor, E. Drenicheva was sentenced for ‘having committed heavy crimes against the peace and security of humanity.’ The big crime: Mrs. Drenicheva gathered 4 people for a seminar and over a course of four days she taught to her audience the Unification Principles, the Theology |
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Sun Myung Moon |
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New: Toru Goto’s imprisonment in Japan Kazakhstan frees Unification Church Missionary Kazakhstan jails Unification Missionary Scenes From Heaven |
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