News
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Prof. Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep concern about recent developments that massively affect the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and threaten its unity.
03 February 2023
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Africa Church and Ecumenical Relations
“The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the ancient churches whose origins go back to the times of the apostles, a church which has always affirmed and worked for unity and peace even with the price of blood,” said Pillay. “The World Council of Churches regrets the breaking away of a fraction from the body of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to establish a new synod.”
Pillay added prayers for the healing of the wounds and for the restoration of unity. “We call upon all political leaders in Ethiopia to support the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in its efforts to achieve unity and peace among its members by allowing the church, which is a legally recognized religious entity in Ethiopia, to use its internal rules and ecclesial canons to address the current situation,” Pillay said. “The WCC commits to pray for and journey with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and with Ethiopia at large as we continue to pray and work for justice, reconciliation, unity and peace in the land.”
Statement of Solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
WCC member churches in Ethiopia
Churches express deep solidarity with Ethiopia
Churches express deep solidarity with Ethiopia
04 Dec 2020
Ecumenical organizations send pastoral letter to churches and people of Ethiopia facing multiple challenges
(LWI) – Ecumenical organizations have sent a pastoral letter of solidarity to the churches and people of Ethiopia, expressing commitment to accompany them as they address multiple challenges and crises.
The letter is sent by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and ecumenical sister organizations, the World Council of Churches (WCC), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the Anglican Communion, the All-African Conference of Churches (AACC), the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA), the World Methodist Council and the ACT Alliance.
“Deeply concerned about civilian population.”
“We join you in grieving the deaths, injuries, displacement, and divisions resulting from the tragic conflict in the northern part of the country,” the ecumenical organizations write. “We are deeply concerned about the hardship and loss inflicted on the civilian population, especially the most vulnerable, including women, children, and the physically challenged. We commiserate with all who have lost loved ones because of this crisis and pray for God’s comfort in their grief.”
The recent conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region adds to many on-going disasters, including climate change, a locust plague, internal unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
They ecumenical partners commend churches and church-related organizations in the country for their response to human suffering and their efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, and unity, urging them to continue this vital ministry, which “is greatly needed in these exceptionally challenging times.”
Sustainable peace for all
The letter also conveys the prayers of Christians and churches worldwide and “solidarity and commitment to support and accompany the churches of Ethiopia.”
We pray with you for an end to the conflict, the safe return of those who have been displaced, and for an inclusive reconciliation process that will lead to sustainable peace for all in Ethiopia.— Pastoral letter to the churches
“We pray with you for an end to the conflict, the safe return of those who have been displaced, and for an inclusive reconciliation process that will lead to sustainable peace for all in Ethiopia,” it concludes.
LWF/ C. Kästner
LWF is present in Ethiopia through its member church, the Evangelical Ethiopian Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), and through its diaconal arm, LWF World Service, which has established a country program in Ethiopia to support refugees and vulnerable communities.
LWF World Service together with partners provides humanitarian aid to people affected and displaced by the recent conflict in Tigray. Please support our work and donate
LWF/OCS
Themes: Unity Communion Churches Justice Humanitarian
Program:
- Communion Relations
- (+) Ecumenical Relations
- Emergency Response
- Humanitarian and development / Country Programs
- (+) Action for Justice
Country:
Ethiopia
Switzerland
Region: