Abune Sawiros kisses the hands of His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of the EOTC. It was decided that the three archbishops, Abune Sawiros, Abune Eostatheos and Abune Zena Markos, would return to their former dioceses and titles, and that the episcopate ordained by them would also return to their former ranks. Those who meet the church’s laws and regulations will be reappointed by the Holy Synod, the statement added. On Saturday 28 January, the three archbishops and 25 episcopate also excommunicated 12 Archbishops of EOTC Holy Synod members in a countermeasure, followed by dispatching over the weekend, bishops to their assigned dioceses. The Holy Synod slammed the PM’s remarks, and accused the government of direct involvement in the crisis and called on faithfuls to wear black for three days in protest of the government’s position.

Source: Ethiopian News February 16, 2023 21:38 UTC