Ethiopian Catholic Bishops Condemn Killings of Christians, Urge Government to Enforce Law

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) have condemned the killing of Christians and the destruction of property in the country. In a statement of condolence issued on Monday, November 2, they called on the relevant authorities to take the necessary law enforcement measures to protect lives, safeguard property and restore peace and security.

The bishops referred to the killing of faithful Christians and the destruction of property in the Merti and Shirka areas of Arsi Zone, South-East Oromia Region, during October. They said they had learned of the killings and property destruction with “profound sorrow and deep concern” through communications from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the Inter-Religious Council (IRC).

The CBCE members also expressed deep sorrow over additional conflicts and killings of innocent people in the Wollega and Moyale areas. They said such incidents continue to occur repeatedly in different parts of the country, and they strongly condemned what they described as “inhumane actions.” “The Ethiopian Catholic Church expresses its deep sadness that such acts continue to occur repeatedly and strongly condemns these inhumane actions,” the CBCE members said.

The bishops urged the government to take the necessary law enforcement measures to guarantee the peace and security of citizens, stressing the need to protect lives and prevent further violence (Psalm 82:3). The conference also called on the faithful to pray for the eternal repose of those who lost their lives in the attacks. It extended condolences to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the people of Ethiopia and the bereaved families.

The bishops’ statement follows other unrest in the Oromia Regional State. According to the source, more than 60 people were killed in two separate attacks on October 24. The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church condemned the attacks and urged the government to protect Orthodox Christians and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement of condolence issued on Monday, October 26, the General Assembly of the Holy Synod said it had received “with profound sorrow” a report from the Arsi Eparchy about the deaths of faithful following “brutal and merciless attacks” in the Arsi Zone. The Synod said the church leaders recounted that on October 20 and 24, 14 of their faithful were killed at a place locally known as Gora Silingo, in Angada Kebele, Merti Woreda, and 46 others were killed at Tereta Chole Birbo, in Sherka Woreda. The homes of 20 faithful were completely burned down, and more than 20 people sustained serious injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals. The Synod recalled that numerous faithful had previously been killed in districts within the same zone.

The Holy Synod strongly condemned the attacks as “entirely unacceptable under the teachings of any religion and are incompatible with the human rights of all people.” It said the killings “violate the constitutional rights to religious freedom and to life, contradict both religious principles and the natural law of humanity, undermine our national values of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, and constitute inhumane acts that deserve unequivocal condemnation.”

Source: Read the original report