Addis Ababa, 03 October, 2025 / 8:25 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) have expressed solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church following the collapse of a wooden scaffolding at St. Mary’s Church, which left several people dead and others injured.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 2, CBCE members extend their condolences to the families of the victims of the October 1 incident.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that wooden scaffolding used in the construction of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the North Shewa Diocese at Ararti Debre Genet St. Mary’s Church in Minjar Shenkor has collapsed, resulting in the loss of many lives and injuries to many others,” the Catholic Bishops say.
They express their “profound sorrow over this tragic event and offer heartfelt prayers for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, especially the ministers of Ararti Debre Genet St. Mary’s Church, as well as for the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster.”
At least 30 people lost their lives and over 200 others sustained injuries when scaffolding collapsed at St. Mary’s Church, where thousands of worshippers had gathered to mark the annual Orthodox Christian feast of St. Mary, BBC News reported.
