Borkena
Toronto – Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarch His Holiness Abune Mathias on Wednesday called on political leaders at all levels of structure in the country to not be “ruthless on God’s People.”
He conveyed the message during his speech at the opening of the annual Plenary Priests Congregation of the Holy Synod at the Patriarchate in the capital Addis Ababa.
His message was directed to government officials at all levels and opposition political party leaders.
“The desire of the people is to live together in equality, prevalence of justice, get out and get home safe, earn adequate income for livelihood,” he said.
The patriarch added that it is when those needs are fulfilled that the people will follow the leadership.
He has also conveyed a message that sounds like coercion will not indefinitely bring about obedience.
“it is not possible to man a subject through the use of force but by enticing the conscience,” he said emphasizing the need to resolve any problem through peaceful means.
All other ways will not bring about a lasting peace to the nation, he added.
Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian Orthodox Church followers have been massacred in the country since 2018. The attacks have been recurring and intense particularly in the Oromia region.
Fear Of Renewed War In Tigray Region Of Ethiopia
His remark came at a time when the political situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia is escalating to unprecedented levels since the end of the two years war in November 2022.
Yesterday, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) formally reinstated the regional council from the pre-war Tigray that was defunct due to the Pretoria Agreement which ended the war. Debretsion Gebremichael, Chairman of the organization, was sworn in as a president of the region.
The Organization has lost its legal status in the county as the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia has revoked its registration as a legal party.
Outside of the Tigray region, the Amhara region is still in a large-scale conflict as the Fano forces and government soldiers continue to get total control of the region. Now heading into its fourth year, this conflict has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives in addition to deaths on the part of government forces and Fano forces.
In the Oromia region, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and government forces continue unabated for over five years now.
The European Union and other members of the diplomatic community expressed concern on the latest development in the Tigray region. If war broke out in the Tigray region, they say, it could spill over to other parts of the Horn.
His Holiness Abune Mathias has been calling for peace in the country for many years now.
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As a man of peace, I second the call by the reverend leader of my Orthodox Christian neighbors. I also call upon all opposition parties and independents not to boycott the coming election. My hunch is many seats in certain constituents are winnable. Let’s not deny peace the chance.
Peace y’all!!!
Peace to all,
It is very disappointing when ministers of God lose the nonpartisan position expected from their sacred office.
His Holiness Abune Mathias was known for his strong nationalist stance during the protests against the Derg military regime. He stood in the front lines of demonstrations with the slogan “One Ethiopia.” Undoubtedly, the late His Holiness Abune Paulos was deeply political-minded. He often defended ethnic-based political interests and rarely rebuked the actions of the TPLF or the current Prosperity Party directly, unlike the late holy man of God, His Holiness Abune Tekle Haymanot, who courageously spoke during the Derg era and endured persecution, lamentation, and fasting before his natural death.
The late Patriarch Abune Paulos left a controversial legacy within the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church by supporting ethnic-based politics associated with the TPLF. Some scholars presented him with concerns regarding anti-Amhara and anti-Orthodox writings, including works associated with ethnic scholars such as Tesema Ta’a and edited by Fekadu Gurmessa. Critics argue that such teachings contributed to hatred, violence, massacres, and the burning of churches in parts of the Oromo region.
Abune Paulos was also known as a skilled diplomat who negotiated with the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches for support and funding, who was endorsed by his ally Pastor Yadessa Daba, who is known for defaming Amharic-speaking churches while supporting Oromo-speaking churches in North America, based in Minnesota. Some believe that political and religious alliances during that period weakened the spiritual neutrality expected from church leadership.
May the Lord help His sacred holy place remain a center of sanctification, peace, and reconciliation.
Jeremiah 23:11 and 5:30–31 (NIV) describes prophets and priests becoming godless, prophesying lies, and ruling by their own authority.
Micah 3:11 (NIV) warns against leaders, priests, and prophets acting for money while falsely claiming divine protection.
Ezekiel 22:25–26 (NIV) speaks of leaders acting like lions to devour people and gain riches while violating sacred things.
It’s not about politics, life’s about propitiation, humanitarian works and heritage. Length of days goes out to Abuna Mathias. Selassie