39 Orthodox Faithful Slaughtered in Arsi, Oromia, Ethiopia

Picture Source: Zemedkun Bekele

ESG – OCP News Service – 03/12/2023

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: Voice of America reported on Thursday, November 30, 2023, that 36 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faithful were massacred throughout the past week (on November 23 and on November 27) in Lebu and Sole Digelu localities of Shirka District of Arsi Zone in Oromia Regional State in a killing spree that victimized those labeled Orthodox or ethnically Amhara, including pregnant women, a 26 days old infant, and the elderly. Of those killed in Lebu locality, ten of the deceased were from a single family, and eight were from another household.

In related news, East Arsi Dioscese reported that on Friday, December 1, 2023 three faithful were killed at dusk while they returned from the annual feast of St. Mary of Zion in the locality of Weltei in the same Zone. The killed, Mr Kagnew Yilma, Mr. Mulatu Tulu and his son – Mr. Geti Mulatu, were residents of the locality in the District of Robe. The diocese stressed that though it had informed law enforcement agents of repeated killings, there has been no improvement in security.

Persecution of Orthodox Christians, particularly in Oromia, Ethiopia, has become a norm in the past five years as attacks have continued without end year after year.

Sources:
-VOA Amharic
-EOTC TV
-TMC