TPLF USED CHURCHES AS a military command center - Catholic delegation
Posted: 24 Jan 2021, 09:55
Massive damage and looting has occurred in Adigrat, a diocese in Ethiopia's semi-autonomous region of Tigray, where the government launched a military offensive nearly two months ago, reported a delegation from the Ethiopian bishops' conference.
Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, conference president, sent the delegation to the diocese in mid-January, with instructions to visit and physically see Bishop Tefaselassie Medhin of Adigrat.
Father Teshome Fikre Woldetensae, secretary-general of the bishops' conference who led the delegation, said the bishop is safe and in good health, but his diocese is reeling from destruction that will take a long time and cost the church millions to repair.
Fighting in Tigray started Nov. 4 after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali sent the federal army to fight the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which he accused of attacking an army base in the capital, Mekele. On Nov. 28, the government recaptured Mekele.
Bishop Medhin's safety had become an issue of concern after he was cut off from the rest of the church due to fighting.
The delegation reported a church compound in the diocese was used as a military command center, even when the parish priests and the Daughters of St. Ann were staying there. The priests and the nuns witnessed heavy fighting.
https://www.ucanews.com/news/ethiopian- ... cese/91115#
Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, conference president, sent the delegation to the diocese in mid-January, with instructions to visit and physically see Bishop Tefaselassie Medhin of Adigrat.
Father Teshome Fikre Woldetensae, secretary-general of the bishops' conference who led the delegation, said the bishop is safe and in good health, but his diocese is reeling from destruction that will take a long time and cost the church millions to repair.
Fighting in Tigray started Nov. 4 after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali sent the federal army to fight the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which he accused of attacking an army base in the capital, Mekele. On Nov. 28, the government recaptured Mekele.
Bishop Medhin's safety had become an issue of concern after he was cut off from the rest of the church due to fighting.
The delegation reported a church compound in the diocese was used as a military command center, even when the parish priests and the Daughters of St. Ann were staying there. The priests and the nuns witnessed heavy fighting.
https://www.ucanews.com/news/ethiopian- ... cese/91115#
