The Holy Synod, the highest governing body of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is making efforts to prevent a potential split within the community among followers in the northern state of Tigray.
The conflict arises from the church’s response to the two-year civil war, primarily fought in Tigray, which concluded in November of the previous year. The war resulted in the loss of numerous lives and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.
Criticism has been directed at the church by bishops, priests, and believers in Tigray for its failure to condemn the war.
In March, the bishops of Tigray expressed their intention to separate from the Holy Synod and have announced plans to ordain 10 new bishops in the region on Sunday.
The Holy Synod has called on both the federal and regional governments to intervene and halt this process, citing a violation of the church’s constitution.
This request was made in a statement released following a two-day emergency session of the Holy Synod held on Thursday. The statement criticized the Tigray bishops and scholars for disregarding the established organizational structure and bypassing peaceful dialogue.
As part of reconciliation efforts, a delegation of bishops, led by Patriarch Abune Matthias, recently visited the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle, to engage in discussions with regional government leaders and church representatives. However, the meeting with the regional church leaders did not take place.
The situation remains tense as the Holy Synod attempts to address the concerns and prevent a potential split within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Tigray.