Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Secretary Deported from Ethiopia to the United States

His Grace Abune Petros, Secretary of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod, was deported to the United States by Ethiopian government authorities upon his arrival at Bole International Airport. The deportation occurred on Tuesday, with the security official cited by EOTC TV as the one responsible for the action. Abune Petros, who had been in the United States for several weeks with authorization from the Ethiopian Church Patriarchate, stated through EOTC TV that he would release an official statement regarding the situation.

Abune Petros was deported via Dubai, as confirmed by EOTC TV. The church’s media outlet reported that senior Ethiopian church figures, including Abune Abraham, head of the Administration in the Patriarchate, were present at the airport to welcome him. The Ethiopian government has not yet provided an explanation for the deportation, though sources close to the church suggest the government may have acted after determining Abune Petros would not remain in the United States.

A false rumor circulated on social media shortly after Abune Petros’s arrival in the United States, claiming he was fleeing the country. The rumor is believed to have originated from cadres of the ruling Prosperity Party. This incident has raised concerns about the relationship between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration, which has been strained for several years.

In February 2023, tensions escalated when three ethnic Oromo bishops declared an “independent nation’s and nationalities synod,” leading to bloodshed in the Oromo region. This development sparked a nationwide movement among Ethiopian Orthodox followers, with Abiy Ahmed appearing as a mediator and claiming to have “resolved” the issue. The church’s internal divisions have since been a point of contention, with the government pressuring the church to condemn certain figures.

In December 2023, Abune Lukas, a prominent church leader, criticized Abiy Ahmed over his military campaign in the Amhara region, which affected civilians. Abune Lukas used the scriptural metaphor of David and Goliath to urge Abiy Ahmed’s forces to end what he described as an increasingly autocratic rule. The government has since been exerting pressure on the Ethiopian Church to publicly condemn Abune Lukas.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has faced growing challenges in maintaining its autonomy and integrity amid political pressures. The recent deportation of Abune Petros underscores the complex dynamics between religious leadership and governmental authority in Ethiopia. The church is expected to address the situation with an official statement, as Abune Petros has promised to do.

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