ETHIOPIA: Catholic Bishops Conference Condemn Brutal Killings and Call for “Stop of the Evil Acts”

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

The Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have raised concern condemning the brutal killings in parts of Gambela and Western Wollega calling the people to stop the evil acts and respect each other’s life.

“The Church still strongly condemns the killing of innocent people in Gambella and Western Wollega, mostly women and children,” members of Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) say in a message published in their Facebook page emphasizing that the Catholic Church has been “condemning the death, displacement and destruction of property in the area.”

The Conference stressed that the evil acts are deeds opposing to any religious teaching noting that, “In recent years in different areas of our country, actions that are contrary to any religious teaching that lead to death, displacement and migration are being repeated.”

“There is no acceptable reason that can lead to death and humiliation of human beings,” the prelates cautioned emphasizing that, “Human being is created in the image of the Holy Trinity, has full glory and has the right to live that cannot be denied by any reason or anyone. Not only living in life but also in a comfortable environment, physical and mental safety should be maintained.”

The bishops expressed the concern for the Church that the “situation where citizens are in danger of living in peace in their country and their families is worrying our church,” disclosing that, “Till now in different parts of our country many innocent people have been killed for different reasons. Many have been displaced from their homes and are in shelter and the direct victims of these situations are the elderly, women and children.”

“People should not be killed because of their identity and religion,” the bishops underscored reminding “the government and local administrations, elders of the country, religious leaders and all citizens to stop such evil acts and to restore the tradition of living with respect and support that has been known all over the world.”

Basing their reflections on the Gospel of Mathew that one should not kill for whoever kills will be judged and addressing all Ethiopians who live in and abroad as well as those who are volunteering, the bishops prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives because of brutal killings and sent condolences to their families.