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Ethiopian Orthodox Church Reports Over 60 Christians Killed in Attacks
Confirmed
In Short: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that more than 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia region, with the attacks occurring on October 20 and 24.
According to the church, 14 people were killed on October 20 in Merti district, and an additional 46 were killed on October 24 in Shirka district.
The church's Holy Synod said that 20 houses were burnt to the ground in the attacks, and that five of the victims were children.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has repeatedly raised concerns about insecurity with authorities at different levels of government, but so far there has been no solution.
The church condemned the violence, stating that attacks against Christians had been increasing recently and that such actions undermine the country's values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council, a non-governmental organization, reported in July 2026 that 458 people had been killed in attacks in that area over the previous four years.
Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have joined leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in condemning deadly attacks on Christians in Oromia Regional State.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church called on the government to bring perpetrators to justice and to protect civilians.
The church urged the faithful to reject hatred, rumors, misinformation, and words that inflame conflict, and to seek the truth and open paths toward reconciliation and healing.
What this adds
The attacks in Oromia are part of a broader wave of violence and persecution against Christians reported internationally.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church reported that a rebel coalition identified by Ethiopian authorities as “Tsimido” is believed to be operating in the area.
The church's call for justice and protection for civilians comes amid ongoing concerns about religious freedom and peace in Ethiopia.
Background
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church called on the government to bring perpetrators to justice after 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two attacks in Oromia.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church called on the government to intervene after 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in two attacks in Oromia.
What's confirmed
- More than 60 people have been killed in a series of attacks on Christians in Ethiopia's Oromia region, according to the country's Orthodox Church.
- A statement from the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said that 20 houses were burnt to the ground in the attacks.
- Eyewitness told BBC Amharic that five of those killed were children.
- The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church said on Monday that 14 worshippers were killed on 20 October in Merti district and another 46 on 24 October in Shirka district, both in Arsi Zone.
- NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Two attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region killed at least 60 Orthodox Christians, the country’s Orthodox Church said, urging authorities to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice.
- At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed in separate attacks on October 20 and 24 in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, with more than 20 others seriously wounded and 20 homes burned down, church officials said in a statement late on Monday.
- “The horrific and appalling massacres, forced displacements, and physical and property damage inflicted upon our innocent Orthodox Christian faithful in the Arsi Eparchy and in various other parts of our country have continued unabated and have been worsening over time,” the General Assembly of the Holy Synod in Addis Ababa said in offering condolences.
What's still developing
- A church official described the attacks on three areas in the Shirka district as a "massacre", saying security forces arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the assault.
- In an appeal, Ethiopia’s Catholic bishops said the Church “grieves deeply over the armed conflict that is currently present in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and other regions” of the country.
- More than 40 people were killed in an attack on Orthodox Christian churches and homes in Ethiopia's central state of Oromia on Saturday, residents and a conflict monitor told AFP on Monday.
- According to information available so far, a rebel coalition identified by Ethiopian authorities as “ Tsimido ” is believed to be operating in the area.
- Voice of Persecuted Christians’ partner for Ethiopia said, ‘The incident was a terrorist attack that took place in the Arsi Zone of central Ethiopia.
- Yet today, a deeply troubling question confronts Ethiopian Orthodox Christians: What does it mean to inherit an ancient faith if we are unwilling or unable to defend the lives, dignity, institutions, and religious freedom of the people who sustain it?
- INTERNATIONAL: Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Founder and International Advocacy Director of LEAD Ministries, is calling on the international community to take urgent action following reports of deadly attacks against Christians in Ethiopia and continuing concerns about religious persecution in Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan and other countries.
Sources
- BBClink
- Church in Needlink
- Focus on the Familylink
- Hungarian Conservativelink
- New Castle Newslink
- Open Doors UK & Irelandlink
- Persecutionlink
- TRT Afrikalink
- TRT Worldlink
- The Catholic Heraldlink
- The Pathwaylink
- The SOFX Reportlink
- Vatican Newslink
- Voice of Persecuted Christianslink
- Borkenalink
- Ewtnnewslink
- FRANCE 24 English — video link