Ethiopia Pardons Derg Members

The Ethiopian government has pardoned 23 former officials of the Derg, the Ethiopian Communist regime, sentenced to death for their roles in the previous government's crimes against its citizens. The pardon was granting at the urging of Patriarch Abune P'awlos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and other leaders of Ethiopian religious organizations. More here.

T'imqet (Theophany) in Addis Abeba

The tabots (arks) present at today's patriarchal Theophany celebrations at Jan Meda in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.

The crowds at Jan Meda today.

Patriarch Abune P'awlos of Addis Abeba blessing the faithful at Jan Meda with holy water.

Abune P'awlos Calls for Unity and Peace

In his Nativity greetings to the nation Patriarch Abune P'awlos () of Ethiopia stressed the need for unity, love, forgiveness, and peace and called on his flock to care for the poor, elderly, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. More here.

Controversy Over Derg Sentences Continues

Controversy over the appeal of Ethiopian religious leaders, among them Patriarch Abune P'awlos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, for the pardoning of former leaders of the Communist regime is ongoing. More here.

Statue of Abune P'awlos to be Removed

Since the 2005 elections in Ethiopia there has been growing tension within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church between Patriarch Abune P'awlos, who was appointed by the current Ethiopian government when it came to power in the 1990s, and the Holy Synod. On 30 October the Holy Synod, which removed Abune P'awlos' administrative authority within the Church of Ethiopia a while ago, ordered that a statue of the patriarch erected at the new patriarchal church in Addis Abeba (Bole Medhane Alem) be removed. The statue wasn't up when I was last in Addis, but apparently it provoked a great deal of controversy as many felt it inappropriate to put up a statue of a living hierarch of the Church.