Tigray Herald፡October 30,2024 (Mekele)
By Yerga Yaecobe
Condemnation of Archbishop Abune Petros for Attending the Standing Conference of Oriental
Orthodox Churches
The Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights (TAG-HR) in the UK and Europe issues a strong
condemnation of Archbishop Abune Petros of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Archdiocese of
New York and its surrounding region. On October 28, 2024, Archbishop Petros attended the
general fall meeting of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in Staten Island,
New York. His presence at this gathering is a betrayal of core Christian principles and a
shocking affront to human rights, particularly to the people of Tigray, who have suffered
grievously from the atrocities of the Tigray genocide.
Archbishop Petros has openly supported and enabled those responsible for these crimes,
including his denial of the Aksum Massacre, where over 1,300 innocent civilians were brutally
martyred in the sacred city of Aksum. These massacres, perpetrated by Eritrean and Amhara
extremist forces, were acts of calculated cruelty against defenseless Tigrayans in one of Africa’s
oldest Christian lands. Aksum, believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, holds
profound religious significance. For Archbishop Petros to ignore, deny, and even justify such
atrocities is an outright betrayal of Christianity’s call to protect the innocent and uphold justice.
It is deeply troubling that Archbishop Petros, a figure of spiritual leadership, aligns himself with
forces of hatred, denial, and extremism. His actions tarnish the integrity of the Oriental Orthodox
Church and diminish the credibility of his office. He stands not as a religious leader but as an
enabler of neo-Amhara extremist politics. TAG-HR calls upon the Standing Conference of
Oriental Orthodox Churches to condemn his participation, retract his invitation, and issue a
formal apology to the people of Tigray, especially to the families of the Aksum Massacre victims.
The role of a religious leader is to be a shepherd to the suffering and uphold the principles of
compassion, justice, and truth. Therefore, we proclaim:
“No Enabler of Genocide Can Serve as a Shepherd of Faith.”
“Those Who Deny Atrocity Share in Its Guilt.”
“Aksum – Where Faith Began, and Where Genocide Will Not Be Forgotten.”
We stand firmly with the victims of genocide in Aksum-Tigray, the home of the Ark of the
Covenant and Africa’s first Christian state. Let the light of truth expose those who corrupt their
faith in support of evil, and let justice be sought for those who perished under their indifference.
“Blessed are those who stand with the persecuted; cursed are those who deny their suffering.”
Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights (TAG-HR) – UK & EU
Email: info@tag-hr.org
