Ethiopian Orthodox Church Postpones Demonstrations After Legal Agreement with Government

Father Matias, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Union Church, postponed demonstrations after accepting a lawsuit against dissidents. This decision followed discussions at the Ethiopian Republican Palace, where a preliminary agreement was reached to freeze calls for demonstrations by the Church.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church had previously called for a demonstration due to the government’s refusal to intervene in a crisis within the Orthodox House. This crisis arose from the separation of a group of parents from Oromo territory and the formation of a parallel church complex, with a Patriarch designated in contravention of the one church principle.

Although the Mother Church sought to isolate the dissident group, it did not receive cooperation from the government, particularly regarding the arrest of dissidents and the prevention of the exploitation of church institutions for worship, property, and platforms. Additionally, the government did not lift security protection or provide political cover for the dissidents.

The new agreement between the Church delegation and the Ethiopian Prime Minister aims to eliminate a significant threat to national unity. The Sunday delegation announced a delay in demonstrations until the implementation of the agreement, while a court in Addis Ababa ruled in favor of the church’s claim to isolate dissidents.

The Ethiopian government’s position on the church crisis is grounded in the Federal Constitution, which states that the state shall not interfere in the internal affairs of places of worship. It calls for resolving the crisis within the church according to its laws and internal regulations.

Despite this legal stance, the leadership of the Orthodox Church believes the state is not neutral in the conflict. They accuse the government of colluding with dissidents by providing security protection and political cover, while preventing the Mother Church’s statements from being broadcast in government media and allowing dissidents to seize church assets in Oromo territory.

The Church’s position is also based on constitutional grounds concerning the sovereignty of places of worship for legitimate spiritual leadership and guidance. This reflects a broader tension between institutional governance and the state’s role in religious matters, echoing Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, kindness, and walking humbly with God.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)