Orthodox leaders say the crisis is over. The Church, one of the oldest in the world and which represents 40% of the 115 million Ethiopians, was in the midst of a schism. Ethnic Oromo priests had created a dissident branch to demand more inclusiveness and service in their native language. They had been excommunicated and the affair had escalated, leading to violence and arrests. Finally, Wednesday evening February 15, a compromise was found.
The leaders of the Orthodox Church and the dissenting priests finally found common ground. Both parties were received by the Prime Minister in Addis Ababa. Then the central church announced that the problem was solved through face-to-face discussions, and that an agreement had been reached.
According to the Holy Synod, the supreme authority of the Ethiopian Church, the three excommunicated archbishops will be rehabilitated and will be able to return to the dioceses assigned to them. The 26 bishops they had ordained in the Oromo region, and who had also been excluded, will regain their former title. But some will need to perform acts of religious repentance to determine if they are capable of serving the Church.
The Holy Synod said that the three rebellious clergymen had apologized. He therefore undertook to grant more inclusiveness to Oromo religious. Additional funds and resources will be allocated in Oromia to expand local language services in the area and in the south of the country. More Oromo-speaking priests will be trained and also ordained among senior clergy.
Patriarch Abune Mathias announced that those arrested during the violence would be released and amnesty would be sought for some. ” This Church is strong said Abiy Ahmed. The Prime Minister, himself an Oromo and who had been accused of partiality by the Holy Synod, declared that all had agreed ” to bring back the lost sheep “.