The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod on Monday issued a statement, stating that at least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed and 20 others severely injured in targeted attacks in two districts of Oromia’s Arsi Zone on 20 and 24 October.
The Holy Synod said 14 people were killed in Angada Kebele, specifically in Gora Silingo, Merti district, on 20 October, while another 46 were killed in Tereta Chole and Birbo in Shirka district on 24 October.
Expressing deep sorrow over recurring attacks targeting civilian believers across the Arsi Diocese and wider regions of Ethiopia, the Holy Synod declared the violence a grave violation of the constitutional right to life and religious freedom.
The Assembly urged the federal government and regional security organs to officially condemn the massacres, enforce legal protections, and apprehend perpetrators to ensure the rule of law.
To honour the victims, the Holy Synod conducted a central memorial prayer service (Tselete Fithat) at the Patriarchal Seat at the Holy of Holies Mary Monastery on October 26, directing all EOTC monasteries and churches worldwide to perform memorial prayers following the Divine Liturgy on October 27.
The Synod also announced that a high-level meeting has been scheduled with senior government officials to establish binding, long-term security measures to prevent further attacks against Christian communities
The statement said the victims were innocent Orthodox faithful and warned that killings, displacement, physical harm and destruction of property targeting Orthodox Christians in Arsi and other parts of Ethiopia had continued to escalate.
“Since such an abject act is completely unacceptable under any religious teaching or human rights principles,” the statement said, adding the Holy Synod considered the violence an act that “deserves outright condemnation.”
The Synod called on government institutions to publicly condemn the killings, protect civilians and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
It urged relevant authorities to uphold the constitutional rights to life and freedom of worship and provide legal protection to prevent similar attacks.
MG/as/APA