Ethiopia’s Catholic Church Reports about Religious Leaders’ Solidarity Visit to Displaced

“The religious leaders visited hospitals, universities and religious institutes in Dessie, Woldiya and Kombolcha that are looted and totally ruined,” ECS leadership reports, and continues, “The explanations presented by professionals helped the leaders to witness the level of the destructions and damages in the area.”

Ethiopia’s Tigray region has been the scene of violence since 4 November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed-led government reportedly ordered a military offensive against the authorities in the State.

The military offensive was in response to the alleged attack on Ethiopia’s largest military base located in Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, by forces loyal to the region’s government.

Residents in Amhara and Afar regions have been greatly affected by the violence.

In the January 13 report, ECS leadership says, “In Woldya, the leaders visited two Orthodox bishops at their residence and shared the difficulties the residents of Woldiya went through. At the same time, they have learned about the negative effects the war left on the life of the people.”

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“The religious leaders on their way back to Addis Ababa, on the 1st of January, 2022, stopped at Kombolcha to visit Selam youth center that is looted and totally ruined; the center is run by the missionaries of Africa,” the leadership of the Catholic Secretariat further reports.

ECS officials add, “In the midst of the war, destructions and looting, it was astonishing to witness how different religious leaders in Woldiya worked hand in hand and served the people regardless of any discrimination.”

“For this, Bishop Ermias, the Bishop of North Wollo, played a great role. Different Muslims and the residents of Woldiya also witnessed the kindness, determination and act of Bishop Ermias,” officials of the Secretariat of the Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia say. 

They note that “the people and representatives of the government offices were grateful with solidarity that the religious leaders shown in visiting the areas, and in providing the food items.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.