08/27/2026
In the Oromia region, especially in Gida Ayana Woreda of East Welega Zone and other areas, the massacre and attacks on priests and innocent believers, especially Amhara and Tigray people, by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church have reached a very horrific level.
Since the eve of the Debre Tabor (Buhe) holiday, more than 200 innocent citizens have been killed in the ongoing security operation by the Geda Commando, which was organized in conjunction with the army and Abiy Shimelis Abdisa.
In the attacks that took place in Gida Ayana Woreda Villages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Fendka, Shashober, Dicho and Village 22, many people of Amhara origin were killed, of whom 13 are Tigray people.
The attacks targeted children, the elderly, pregnant women and the mentally ill, and among the elderly, 85-year-old Aba Ayele Nega and his wife, Mrs. Silsdar, were among those killed in the attack.
This attack was clearly coordinated and targeted Orthodox Christians and Semites.
A large-scale campaign was launched to demand that the Amhara and Tigray people leave Oromia, and the church became the main focus of their destruction.
A church monk was publicly stripped of his robes and mocked, then brutally murdered in front of the public in inhumane conditions.
In addition, a five-year-old child was seen crying for four days after her father and mother were killed in front of her.
The bodies of the innocent victims have not been buried yet and are being eaten by wild animals.
Residents who are trying to remove and bury the remains are being attacked, making it very difficult for them to bury them.
Due to this situation of fear, more than 20,000 people are fleeing the area and are being attacked heavily while traveling.
In addition, the internet and telephone networks have been blocked, preventing the horrific abuses and massacres from being adequately reported.
This clearly shows that the government is carrying out the massacre in a planned manner.
The saddest thing in all this destruction is that the high-ranking clergy of the Church and the Church media have not given the issue the coverage it deserves and have chosen to remain silent.
It is a shameful mistake not to make a single official statement when Church property is looted, historical and sacred buildings are burned, believers are massacred and churches are destroyed.
It has become clear that most of the elements in the Church, in collaboration with the government, are destroying the ancient foundations of the Church and are increasing the suffering of Christians.
Since the covenant made by God, the God of heaven and earth, to the Holy Church is firm, those who attack, burn and destroy the Church and the believers should know that they will receive judgment to the very roots.
The time is now for judgment, all who take up the sword will meet their end in Him!
Therefore, Ethiopians, Orthodox Christians and all human rights activists around the world should unite in condemning the ethnic cleansing and religious violence being perpetrated against Christians and the Amhara and Tigray peoples in the Oromia region.
At a time when the conspiracy to destroy the church and destroy the people is intensifying every day, the faithful and the local people must be more vigilant than ever, understand the organized forces of destruction, protect themselves and their holy places with their own strength, and fight steadfastly to uphold their rights.
Komos Abba Pauli
