Khartoum, Sudan — Christians continued to demonstrate Wednesday in Khartoum protesting a government decision to cancel a Mass that a German priest, claiming to cure diseases through prayers, was scheduled to celebrate Tuesday.

Faithfuls had gathered at Green Square public park in the Sudanese capital, waiting for Reverend Reinhart Bonneke to say the Mass, when they were told the service had been called off.

Interior minister Abdulrahim Moahammed Hussein said he cancelled the Mass after Bonneke insisted on conducting it in the Green Square park instead of a closed place suggested by the government.

"We proposed a closed place in order to avoid possible friction between the worshippers and other religious groups," the minister explained.

On learning that the Mass was cancelled, the Christian congregation waiting at the Green Square started to protest.

According to the minister, protestors stoned cars and houses on their way to downtown Khartoum.

He said 57 persons were set free after writing statements, promising to refrain from further demonstration, and others were were being interrogated by the police. He did not disclose their number.

On Wednesday riot police used tear gas to disperse crowds of stone throwing protesters.

"As Christians we cannot accept the Mass to be cancelled for any reason", a participant in the demonstrations told PANA.

On his previous visit to Sudan last year, Rev. Bonneke conducted a Mass that was attended by a big gathering of feithfuls at the Green Square.