An American pastor who was critical of Rwanda’s government has been deported from the country after being arrested for allegedly “disturbing public order.”
Rwandan authorities arrested Rev. Gregg Schoof, a missionary and evangelical Christian pastor, on Monday because, according to a Rwandan government official, he was trying to hold a news conference without permission, the New York Times reported. Since moving to Rwanda 16 years ago, Schoof has become a critic of the government’s allowance of abortion and teaching evolution.
Last year, the government revoked the license for Schoof’s radio station, Amazing Grace Christian Radio, after it aired a sermon describing women as “evil,” and also shut down his church. In a statement written for the attempted news conference, Schoof said he came to Rwanda to preach the Gospel, but claimed the government “has taken a stand against God with its heathen practices.”
Schoof was arrested at the site of the planned news conference, and deported to the United States late Monday evening. Francois Regis Gatarayiha, Rwanda’s director general of immigration, said Schoof’s visa had expired.
In recent years, Rwanda has closed thousands of churches, prompting protests from pastors and human rights advocates. The government claims targeted churches have failed to satisfy building safety standards, but opponents of the church closings have suggested they are part of an effort to limit religious freedom.
