Christian pastors, families denied visa to visit Meghalaya to attend church services

Three pastors along with their family members were denied visa by the Indian government to visit Meghalaya to attend special church services in the state.

This follows the denial of visa to Baptist World Alliance president Paul Msiza, who was scheduled to attend the 150th celebration of the Baptist Church in Meghalaya at Rajasimila in East Garo Hills district last month.

Rev Brian Huw Jones, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, his wife Helena, Rev. Hue Robert Powel Davies and his spouse Rev. Nan Powel Davies, Dr Owain Edwards, his wife Sian and daughter Ela had to cancel their self-sponsored trip at the eleventh hour since their visas did not come through.

The pastors were scheduled to speak at special church services of the Synod Sepngi at Sohiong, East Khasi Hills and Synod Mihngi at Sutnga in East Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya. The services, which began on Thursday and culminated on Sunday, were organised by the KhasiJaintia Presbyterian Assembly, the parent body of the Presbyterian Church here.

While Rev. Nan Powel Davies was scheduled to deliver her sermon on Saturday at Sohiong, other preachers were to address different services in the two locations — programme schedules for which were already printed and distributed.

But KJP Synod Sepngi senior executive secretary Rev SS Majaw chose to downplay the visa denial, claiming that permission was sought only a month ago from the Meghalaya government and the same was forwarded to the concerned Central ministry for necessary action. “The problem is that we were a bit late from our side to seek the necessary permission, which usually should be three months before the programme,” he told HT.

But senior Church leaders have questioned Majaw’s reasoning for visa denial while pointing out certain loopholes in the statement. Former vice president of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), Rev PBM Basaiawmoit, felt it was hogwash to say the one-month time period for application was too short. “It does not take so long to get a visa, we have been organising larger services and have had the privilege of listening to world renowned preachers,” Basaiawmoit told HT over phone.

He further asked: “If he was unsure of their attendance, why print their names in the programme at all?”

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