By: Habte H.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) – the most ancient and sacred religious institution on our planet, and a cornerstone of African spiritual identity – now finds itself under siege. But unlike in the past, when foreign invaders and hostile ideologies posed external threats, the gravest danger today comes from within. At the heart of this internal decline is the troubling transformation of many of the Church’s own bishops – from spiritual shepherds into secular power brokers.
For centuries, the EOTC served as Ethiopia’s moral compass. It was not only a religious institution but a symbol of cultural sovereignty, resistance to colonialism, and spiritual resilience. Its theological richness and unbroken apostolic tradition stood as a testament to African Christianity’s depth and originality. Even beyond Ethiopia’s borders, its influence was profound. The African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa publicly acknowledged the Ethiopian Church’s role in shaping its early philosophy of human dignity, equality, and liberation.
Yet today, that glorious legacy is being dragged through the mud-not by foreign aggressors, but by the very custodians of its altar.
A Sacred Institution Betrayed from Within
The Ethiopian Church, once admired for its ascetic discipline, spiritual purity, and ethical clarity, is now battling a credibility crisis. A growing number of its devout followers, both at home and in the diaspora, are sounding the alarm over an accelerating moral and administrative collapse. While the Church has survived wars, political upheaval, and doctrinal challenges in the past, what it faces today is far more corrosive: the rot of internal hypocrisy and institutional failure.
Allegations of corruption, tribal favouritism, factionalism, and incompetence have become commonplace. Bishops who were once expected to lead with humility and compassion are now entangled in scandals involving embezzlement, sexual misconduct, and partisan manipulation. Though not every leader is guilty, the perception among the faithful is grim-too many seem to have abandoned their spiritual calling in pursuit of personal wealth and political influence.
From Guardians to Adversaries
It is a tragedy of biblical proportions that those who were ordained to protect the flock are now perceived as its chief predators. The bishops-once revered as guardians of morality and defenders of doctrine-are increasingly viewed as the Church’s number one enemies. Not because they preach heresy, but because they embody hypocrisy. Lavish lifestyles, open political partisanship, and unchecked egos have replaced the humility and wisdom traditionally associated with the episcopal office.
Disturbingly, there is growing criticism not only of bishops’ behaviour but of their intellectual unfitness to lead. Some are accused of profound illiteracy-both in theology and in civic matters-reducing the Church’s leadership to a subject of ridicule. The result is a spiritual vacuum at the top, where ritual continues without meaning, and the gospel is preached without conviction.
Administrative Power Must Soon Be Taken from the incompetent “Bishops”
The Church is not beyond salvation, but its clerical leadership must be stripped of administrative power. Bishops should serve as spiritual shepherds-offering blessings, liturgy, and moral guidance-not as power brokers, property managers, or political operators. Their access to wealth must be tightly controlled. The Church can and should provide for their needs, but they should neither touch nor manage money directly.
Church members and faithful believers are calling for a complete separation between clerical roles and administrative authority, transparent public accountability for Church finances and donations, a formal prohibition on personal enrichment among bishops, and the reinstatement of education and ethical training as essential qualifications for Church leadership.
A Last Chance for Redemption
If current trends continue, the EOTC risks alienating the very population it was built to serve. Youth, in particular, may begin to turn away from the Church-not out of opposition to its theology, but due to a deep disillusionment with its corrupted leadership. Many may simply find it impossible to reconcile spiritual truth with institutional hypocrisy.
Yet it is precisely because the EOTC is so sacred, so intertwined with Ethiopia’s cultural and spiritual identity, that we must not remain silent. This is not a call to abandon the Church-it is a call to reclaim it. Reclaim it from tribalism, from greed, and from bishops who no longer embody the faith they preach.
The faithful must rise-not in rebellion, but in reform. They must insist that the Church live up to its holy calling once more. Silence, at this point, is complicity.
Conclusion: Clean the House, Save the Church
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has weathered the storms of history-from foreign invasions to ideological warfare-but now it faces a deeper and more existential threat. This time, the wolves are not at the gates; they wear bishop’s robes. They occupy the altars. And they erode the very soul of the institution from within.
But all is not lost. The EOTC can still be a beacon of light-if it dares to confront the truth. If the faithful speak boldly, pray fervently, and demand reform with moral clarity, the Church can be restored. Ritual alone cannot sustain it. Heritage alone cannot protect it. Only a culture of accountability, humility, and truth can cleanse it.
Let this be the generation that saves the Church-not by walking away, but by standing up. The time has come to clean the house. Only then can we save the Church.
An advice to reader to watch this eye-opening YouTube conversation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqENwAZvt0E
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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