Breakaway Ethiopia clergy declare ‘overwhelming’ support

A breakaway archbishop from the Orthodox Ethiopian Church spoke to BBC’s Focus on Africa programme that his group has “overwhelming” public support after touring some areas in the conflict-prone western Oromia.

Three archbishops of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Ethiopian Church ordained 26 Bishops without the consent of the Holy Synod on 22 January.

Of the 26 bishops, 17 are from dioceses located in the Oromia region.

Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, called the appointment of the bishops an “illegal” act.

The church’s synod subsequently excommunicated the breakaway clergy and threatened to call nationwide rallies.

But Archbishop Abune Ewostateos has told the BBC he does not recognise the excommunication, saying the breakaway group has set up its own synod.

Archbishop Ewostateos also threatened a schism in the church: “We are going to have a new Patriarch” if the Holy Synod won’t recognise the newly appointed bishops.

By BBC