Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia Strongly Condemn Killings of Civilians and Call for Justice

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia has solemnly condemned the recent killings of innocent civilians in various parts of the country, including the horrific attacks in the Arsi Zone. The bishops described these acts as a grave sin against God, a direct affront to the sanctity of human life, and a violation of the moral law entrusted to humanity.

In their statement, the bishops reaffirmed the Church’s unwavering teaching that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. They emphasized that the deliberate taking of defenseless life is never morally permissible under any circumstance. Recalling the divine commandment, “You shall not kill,” they underscored that no religious, ethnic, or political justification can ever legitimize such atrocities.

Expressing profound pastoral closeness, the bishops extended their solidarity in Christ to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and to all families mourning the loss of loved ones. They also conveyed fraternal support to all religious denominations and faith communities that uphold the God‑given dignity of the human person and reject every form of violence.

The bishops called upon the government to carry out thorough, transparent, and just investigations, insisting that bringing the perpetrators to justice is not only a civic obligation but also a moral imperative. They emphasized that safeguarding the lives of innocent citizens is a fundamental responsibility of public authority and essential for the common good.

Furthermore, the bishops appealed to all Ethiopians to resist hatred, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and reject any attempt to use the tragedy to sow division among religious or ethnic communities. Instead, they urged the faithful to be instruments of peace, fostering unity, reconciliation, and mutual respect in accordance with Gospel values and the Church’s social teaching.

The statement concluded with heartfelt prayers, entrusting the souls of the victims to the mercy of God, invoking the Holy Spirit to console grieving families, praying for healing for the wounded, and imploring the Lord to grant lasting peace, justice, and harmony to the nation.