The 69-year-old Catholic Church leader who has been at the helm of his native Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat since his Episcopal Ordination in January 2002 says that survivors of rape in the embattled region are unable to get post-rape care and are left with their wounds as a result of the complete siege.
“On top of living through this state-planned siege and blockage, it is a heart-wrenching reality…that we are let down to live with over one and half million school children who have been deprived of their right to education for three years,” he laments.
In his appeal for urgent help, the Ethiopian Bishop says, “The Catholic Church in Tigray is urging all the Catholic networks and our Partners, the national and international religious leaders, UN Agencies, organizations, democratic Governments, Peace-loving international community, to condemn these brutal genocidal acts, and reach us by all means that you have at your disposal to alleviate the ongoing inexplicable human suffering of our population.”
He appeals to parties involved in the Tigrayan war to stop indiscriminate shelling and bombardment of innocent civilians, and to allow “urgently” humanitarian access to all parts of the region.
The Catholic Bishop also appeals to the parties in conflict to bring a ceasefire and advance political dialogue to ensure lasting peace in Tigray.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At ACI Africa, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news from Africa, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church - so that you can grow in your Catholic faith.
When you subscribe to the ACI Africa Updates, we will send you a daily email with links to the news you need.
Use the form below to stay informed, and to tell us where we can send the ACI Africa Updates!
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
He expresses appreciation to international agencies and diaspora movements, such as the Tegaru Women for Tigray, that he says are committed to helping alleviate the suffering of the people of God in the embattled Northernmost region of Ethiopia.
“I also remain most grateful to our support-rendering local and international partners, and all who are working for an end of this distressing humanitarian and existential crisis in Tigray as well as elsewhere in the whole country,” Bishop Medhin says.
He adds, “To all those political elites, activists and media – who are realizing the gravity of this situation and are working for positive inspiration and engagements, we acknowledge your noble moves, we urge you, continue doing more on, and we pray that your courageous works will bear fruit.”
“The Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat, which itself is living through this extremely painful genocidal situation in Tigray, as usual re-confirms its commitment to be in solidarity of sympathy, prayers and works of charity with all the people who are going through an inexplicable suffering in Tigray and across the country,” the Ethiopian Catholic Bishop says in his message dated October 5.
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.