ETHIOPIA: Bishops Express Concern on the Resumed War in Tigray, Calling Parties to Return to Peace
Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following the fight that has resumed in the Northern region of Ethiopia months after declaration of an indefinite humanitarian truce by the government, a decision which had brought some relief to the people, Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have expressed their concern calling on parties involved to cede their weapons and return to peace.
In a statement shared with AMECEA online Friday, September 2, members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) decry the resumption of the war that has led to many lives being lost, and assets destroyed.
“We again appeal to all parties to cede their weapons and return to the peace options, to prioritize dialogue and an option that will end the suffering of our citizens, the prelates highlighted in their message stressing that, “Due to the scars left by the war, especially children, women and the elderly have been subjected to crisis.”
According to reports, the fighting erupted again around the borders of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region in the town of Kobo, in southern Tigray shattering a ceasefire declared in the month of March, an action which the bishops say has “deeply saddened” them.
The bishops in their Friday message addressed to all concerned parties highlighted that efforts have always been made to proclaim peace and harmony to the people of Ethiopia.
“The Ethiopian Catholic Church, by her own and jointly with other religious institutes, has frequently called for all parties to avail for peace regarding the war in northern Ethiopia,” they said.
“When we are all hoping for peace talks and waiting to make our respective contributions, when our innocent people are suffering from hunger, disease, and psychological damage, displaced from their homes, and our entire nation is struggling under the pressure of the cost of living, it is absolutely unacceptable to any of the parties to enter in to war again,” the bishops lament adding that, “It is an obvious fact that war is leading to the destruction of national wealth and economic depression.”
They noted that the Church is strongly concerned and longs that the agony of the people living in Tigray, Amhara, Afar and other areas of the country “be stopped” and promises collaboration with other religious institutes to contribute to the “dialogue processes which leads to peace.”
Basing their reflection on the psalmist’s prayer that the “the Lord be a refuge for the oppressed, and a refuge in times of trouble,” Catholic bishops further called on all people of Ethiopia to unite in a five-day prayer for peace that there may be “no more war.”
“Accepting the prayer call from the Inter Religious Council of Ethiopia, we urge all Catholics and indeed all people of Ethiopia to unite in Prayers for five days in the coming month of Pagumen for the intention of Peace and stability in our beloved Country Ethiopia,” reads part of the prelates’ message.
Earlier the declaration of an indefinite humanitarian truce by the government, the protracted fight was between Ethiopia’s Federal Government and the Tigray regional State that was led by the political party of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
