Addis Abeba — His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, has strongly condemned recent attacks targeting monasteries and believers in the Amhara and Central Ethiopia regions, calling on authorities to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the protection of religious institutions and civilians.
Discover moreMagazinesDemographicsWorld news headlines In a pastoral message issued on 25 July, the Patriarch expressed "deep sorrow" over a 22 July drone strike on the Ghion Abay Gadam-e Asketes Saint Arsema, Abune Aregawi, and Saint Kirikos Fathers and Mothers Unity Monastery in Borena Woreda, South Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region.
Abune Mathias said he learned with grief from a statement by the South Wollo Diocese that ascetic monks who had dedicated their lives to prayer were killed in the attack, while others sustained injuries and the monastery's property and sacred items were damaged.
The Patriarch also condemned a separate attack on the same day in the Hadiya and Silte Diocese of the Central Ethiopia Region, where a place of worship was reportedly demolished and believers attacked, describing the incidents as "completely unacceptable and condemnable."
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Reports indicate that two monks were killed and more than 10 others injured during the attack on the monastery in Borena Woreda. Citing the monastery's abbot and the head of the woreda church office, Deutsche Welle reported that the attack struck the living quarters of female monks, leaving at least two killed and 11 people injured. Emahoy Welete Maryam, a monastery member who said she witnessed the strike, stated that the victims were preparing winter grain supplies when the attack occurred.
Family According to Abba Elias Teshager, the monastery's administrator, two mothers died in the attack, one at the scene and another while being transported to Mekane Selam Hospital. He said six people suffered severe injuries, including traumatic amputations, and that 14 people were affected in total.
Archpriest Qesiss Endale Semagn, head of the Borena Woreda Church Administration, said victims were transported to medical facilities with support from the woreda administration. He added that two people sustained serious injuries, with one urgently referred to Dessie Referral Hospital.
Religion & Belief Discover moreHistoryLocal NewsreligiousFamous QuotationsAfricans & DiasporaNewspapersGeographic ReferenceChristianityreligionGovernment Other reports have claimed that the number of monks and nuns killed in the drone strike was as high as seven. Addis Standard could not independently verify these reports.
In his message, Abune Mathias condemned attacks against defenseless ascetics who have dedicated themselves to prayer and peace, saying such acts are forbidden before God and bring shame before history.
History "Raising hands against ascetics who have no material means to defend themselves and who pray for the peace of the country is forbidden before God and shameful before history," the Patriarch said.
He stressed that protecting monasteries, which serve as centers of prayer, peace, and spiritual heritage, is not only a religious responsibility but also a duty tied to upholding the rule of law and maintaining national peace.
Geographic Reference The Patriarch called on authorities to investigate the attacks, bring those responsible to justice, provide assistance to victims, and strengthen security measures around monasteries and churches across the country.
"Protecting monasteries is not only a matter of a single religion. Officials and law enforcement institutions at all levels have the responsibility to uphold human dignity, the rule of law, and national peace," Abune Mathias said, urging authorities to ensure accountability and provide appropriate support to victims.
Government The latest statement marks Abune Mathias's second public appeal within weeks calling on authorities to protect civilians and religious institutions from armed attacks and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
In June, the Patriarch urged federal, regional, and local authorities to urgently halt recurring violence in East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, after deadly attacks left civilians killed, churches damaged, and hundreds displaced.
Media monitoring tools At the time, Abune Mathias condemned attacks in Aseko, Shirka, Honqolo Wabe, and Munesa woredas of the Arsi Diocese, describing them as a grave assault on human life and religious freedom.
"Break this chain of attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice," he appealed to security officials and government authorities, warning that "history will judge you by the price you pay for the safety of citizens during your tenure."
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Christianity The June statement followed a series of armed attacks that began on 30 May in farming communities of Aseko Woreda and continued during the national election period on June 1. Residents who spoke to Addis Standard said the violence resulted in civilian deaths, mass displacement, and the destruction of homes, livestock, and religious institutions.
"It is with a broken heart that we heard of the horrific attack perpetrated against our spiritual children and the Holy Church," Abune Mathias said at the time, describing the killings as the "brutal martyrdom of numerous faithful" and expressing concern over the displacement of hundreds of people.
He also condemned the destruction of religious sites, including the burning of the historic Teleta Saint Gabriel Church and the looting of Kara Kuftena Medhane Alem Church, warning that attacks on places of worship threaten not only religious communities but also Ethiopia's broader social fabric and peace.
