The persecution of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been surging over centuries.[1] The church has encountered significant challenges throughout its history. Historically, notable persecutions attributed during Yodit Gudit era in 980, Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi invasion of Ethiopian Empire during the Ethiopian-Adal War (1529–1542) and the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936–1941). Still, the church faces significant persecutions where many Christians are killed by government forces and churches are burnt amidst political crisis. During the tension between Ethiopian Orthodox and the illegal Oromia synod, three people killed after unknown assailants opened fire in Shashamane in Oromia on 2 February 2023. According to witness, the Oromia police was the perpetrator of the attack. It is observed during Axum massacre in the Tigray War where 750 people reportedly killed in Axum Tsion feast day celebrated on 30 November.[2] [3] [4]
Around 980 AD, Gudit began sacking Aksum, and burnt several thousands Ethiopian Orthodox churches and monuments before eliminating the king Dil Na'od and other monarchs of Aksumite lines.[5] The destruction of churches asserted by some Ethiopian traditions that Gudit's ethnicity was Jewish. The Ethiopian Christian and Islam tensions also major factors of the persecution, such as the Ethiopian-Adal War in 1529, where Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi destroyed after he occupied much of Shewa, Gondar, Wollo and part of Tigray. According to Ethiopian Church records, 10 Ethiopian Christians were forcefully converted to Islam as a result of Ahmad's campaign.[6] After resilient struggle of Emperor Dawit II, the Portuguese failed to assist him and he died after evicting to Debre Damo Monastery, prompting Ahmad to destroy more church properties. After the defeat of Ahmad in 1543 by Emperor Galawdewos, he began rebuilding churches and attempt to restore peace, but he was weakened by Ahmad's successors until his final death.
Catholicism activities in Ethiopia has also raised concern over anti-Ethiopian Orthodoxy in the 16th century, especially after the conversion of Emperor Susenyos I to Catholicism in 1622 and subsequent Catholic rule for a decade.[7] In 1626, the Catholic Patriarch Afonso Mendes abolished any Ethiopian Orthodox practices abroad which led to unrest.[8] The same way anti-Ethiopian Orthodox feelings were propagated throughout the Italian invasion involving mass killings of its followers and clergies. Following the Yekatit 12 massacre, the Italians massacred over 2,000 monks at Debre Libanos Monastery in 1937 ordered by Italian viceroy Rudolfo Graziani.[9] Abune Petros was amongst victims who was publicly executed by eight carabinieri in Addis Ababa in 1936.[10] [11] Historian Adam Clayton Powell Jr. condemned Mussolini for trying to exterminate Orthodox Christians and doubted that the Catholics of America and of Harlem community in New York neglecting this action.[12] The Italians concerned the status of freedom of religion in the country, where the used Ethiopian Orthodox under their supervision as many of observance and rites were held in the presence of Italian officials.[13]
Many churches faces significant challenges in lieu of the current political instabilities in Ethiopia, such as in Axum massacre in the Tigray War.[14] [15] Arson attacks are widely reported and Orthodox leaders complained such incidents several years ago.[16] The Ethiopian government is accused of "masterminding" killings of several Christians for political purpose. For instance, three Christians were killed after unknown armed assailants opened fire in Shashamane on 2 February 2023 amidst crisis between the Ethiopian Orthodox and the illegal Oromia Region synod.[17] According to local residents, the Oromia police was the preparator of the attack.[18] The Axum massacre in late 2020 happened just before annual Axum Tsion Festival, a major Ethiopian Orthodox festival on 30 November. It was perpetuated by the Ethiopian and Eritrean joint forces after they took control of the city on 19 November according to Amnesty International.[19]