19 March 2009

Rev. Lala H. Rasendrahasina
President FJKM
Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar

Rev. Charles Rakotonirina
General Secretary FJKM

Dear Lala and Charles

The recent months and more so the recent days we have been following the political and social developments in your country, Madagascar, with deep concern.

Furthermore we were deeply disturbed by the news of Lala’s capture and subsequent physical assault and moral abuse you experienced by the hands of your captors on 17 March. Needless to say we were relieved and thankful to learn that you were released and that the day following your bodyguard, Mr. Luke was also freed.

Through these few words the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) desires to assure the officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) that we hold your country and church in our prayers during this critical period. We also add our condemnation to acts of unjust and unnecessary violence by military and civilians alike.

We pray to the Lord for:

• God’s protection of the Malagasy people, the officers and leaders of FJKM, including their families
• Godly wisdom for Rev. Rasendrahasina, the officers and leaders of FJKM, and all who strive to uphold human rights by peaceful means.
• a spirit of compassion and unity among all Christian, religious and secular leaders in your efforts to sustain peace, harmony and human rights in Madagascar.
• the ruling authorities and military that they will act responsibly to stop and prevent any further acts of violence to persons and property.
• long term peaceful and democratic resolution to the complex issues you nation is facing

Please continue to keep us updated of the developments so we are better informed in our praying and in understanding the current sorrow and challenges our sisters and brothers are facing in Madagascar. The Lord be your strength and comfort – Micah 6:8

Sincerely yours in Christ

Rev. Chang Te-Chang (Andrew)
PCT General Secretary

Update: PCT received word from a church observer in Madagascar on Thursday afternoon, 19 March stating that Rev Lala Rasendrahasina was recovering from all the physical and moral torture he suffered while detained (on 17 March). It has been real torture. All the papers have on their front page today reports of his ordeal - to highlight one abuse among others: they ordered him to drink his own urine... It went on to say that some of the papers editors have been threatened for publishing the news. The minister who spoke yesterday at the press conference on behalf of the Executive staff of FJKM revealing the facts, after the service FJKM organised in support of our president and his family, was also threatened. They are asked to make an official denial, otherwise they would do something... Let us pray that such a thing will not happen.