His Holiness Abune Mathias Message to Saudi Arabia officials : “If judgement is without mercy, it invites divine anger”
Borkena
Toronto – Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Mathias, on Wednesday called for the Saudi Arabia government to grant amnesty to Ethiopian migrants who are facing an execution.
Abune Mathias requested the Saudi Arabia government officials to consider the historical friendship of the two countries and grant pardon to those who are under the shadow of a death sentence. He asked the authorities to consider changing the retribution to a prison term.
As well, he called on Human Rights organizations to rescue innocents who were subjected to death sentences due to language problems and due process of law.
He has also conveyed a message to the Ethiopian government to consider initiating a high level diplomatic talks with the Saudi officials to save the lives of Ethiopians and secure their return to their country.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration has been priding itself as having a policy of citizen focused diplomacy when and where needed. However, it has been criticized for not taking diplomatic actions to save the lives of Ethiopians in Saudi prison who are facing execution. In February 2026, a Saudi Arabian government delegation was in Addis Ababa to meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs in connection with the development in the Persian Gulf.
The message to his spiritual children in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is to pray for those who are facing death in Saudi Arabia.
A recent report by Vatican news indicates that over 200 Ethiopians are at the risk of being executed in Saudi Arabia in the days to come.
Human Rights Watch last month reported that 65 Ethiopian migrants are facing execution over alleged drug trafficking and possession. Three were already executed.
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Let’s join the reverend leader of our Christian neighbors in calling on the Saudi officials to show mercy to our countrymen/women who face the death penalty.
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Faith leaders should be nonpartisan according to the ethics and discipline of faith. Unfortunately, many have become partisan, standing with oppressive regimes because of personal benefit or ethnic loyalty. This was seen during the leadership of former Patriarch Paul, who publicly condemned the Ethiopian opposition parties during the 2005 election at a religious rally, yet failed to take action when a hate-filled book on Amhara people and Ethiopian Orthodox church by ethnic politicians Professor Tesema Ta’a and Fekadu Gurmesa was presented to him by credible editors for review.
His Holiness Mathias is also often criticized for speaking out when the TPLF conflicts with the ruling government while remaining silent about abuses committed by the TPLF, including the invasion and human rights violations in the Amhara and Afar regions, as well as abuses in the Oromo region, Pastor Degone Moretew
“Pronounces a “woe” on the shepherds (leaders) who are destroying and scattering the flock instead of protecting them.
“Condemns both prophets and priests for being greedy for gain and practicing deceit, healing the wounds of the people “lightly” by saying peace when there is no peace.”Describes a shocking condition in the land where the prophets prophesy falsely, the priest’s rule by their own power, and the people love it that way.
“Accuses the prophets of whitewashing the wicked deeds of the ruling class, failing to distinguish between the holy and the common, and ignoring God’s word (Jeremiah 23:1-4: Jeremiah 6:13-15: Jeremiah 5:30-31: Ezekiel 22:25-28: Ezekiel 22:25-28)