Ethiopia’s Bishops Condemn Deadly Attack Near Catholic Parish, Call for Government Protection

Addis Ababa, 05 November, 2025 / 8:40 PM

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) have strongly condemned attacks in the Oromia Region that claimed lives and destroyed property belonging to members of the Catholic community. 

In a statement issued Tuesday, November 4, CBCE members urge the government to take urgent measures to protect citizens from further violence. 

“The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia expresses deep sorrow over the recent killings and destruction of property that occurred in October near St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Harerghe, Oromia Region,” the Catholic Church leaders lament the October 25 and 27 attacks.

They add, “The attacks have resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of property belonging to members of the Catholic community.”

They note that similar acts of violence were reported against the faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and communities under the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council in the Arsi Zone of Oromia.

“The Catholic Church strongly condemns these inhumane acts and calls on the government to take immediate and necessary legal measures to ensure the safety and security of all citizens,” the CEBCE members say.

They pray that those who lost their lives in the tragic incidents “may find eternal rest.”

The Bishops further express “heartfelt condolences to the entire Catholic community, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, all Ethiopians, and the affected families, asking the Creator to grant them true consolation and comfort in this time of grief.”

On October 27, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) reported that more than 25 civilians were killed in East Arsi Zone, Oromia regional state, in October 2025 alone, APA News reported.

The report further indicates that the majority of the victims “were Christians apparently shot dead or fatally stabbed by unknown gunmen.”

The statement also quoted a report received by the church on October 28, suggesting that “five people were killed in Honqolo Wabe (Siltana) district.”

APA News further reports that three civilians were killed and four others abducted in what eyewitnesses described as a “religious-motivated attack” carried out by “unidentified gunmen” around 10:00 p.m. on October 27, in Hela Zibaba Kebele, Shirka Woreda, East Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State.