Two Orthodox Churches, Several Homes Destroyed and Hundreds Killed in Oromia (August 2021)

E.S.G – OCP News Service – 27/8/21

#Ethiopian Orthodox Christians Continue to Encounter Extreme Persecution in the Regional State of Oromia.

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: In an urgent Press release, on the 26th of August 2021, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council have disclosed two churches were burned down in Gidda Kirammu of East Welega Zone of the Oromia Reginal State of Ethiopia. The Church of Agasa Abbo (Abune Gebre Menfes Qedus Church) and the Church of Tenbiya Michael (St. Michael’s Church) was set alight with the homes of ethnic Amharas living in the locality.

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According to the Council, around 300 people were dead and hundreds more injured. However, on the other hand, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission stated that more than 150 were killed. The names of slaughtered clergy, their families and a monk have been unveiled in unofficial channels. The attack took place on Nehasse 12 (August 18, 2021) on the monthly feast day of St. Michael, on the eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, one of the Nine Major Feasts of the Savior in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and during the Feast of the Dormition of Virgin Mary – a liturgical season highly observed by the faithful.

Ethiopia has been experiencing intense ethnic, religious and political unrest in recent times especially in the regional state of Oromia. The attacks initiated by radical Oromo groups on non-Oromo communities resulted in a massive loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure. The Ethiopian Church and Orthodox Christians are heavily targeted by the Oromo Islamic extremists during the attacks.

Source:
OCP News Service