A gaggle of insurgent bishops declared their very own meeting within the Oromia area.

Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahedo Church is among the largest and oldest in Africa.

However there was a break up inside its ranks after three bishops shaped their very own patriarchate they named “Oromia and Nations and Nationalities Synod” final month.

The transfer led to weeks of unrest, divisions and violence in some areas. The federal government has banned rallies and restricted social media.

However the fallout may nonetheless have ramifications for the church itself and the nation.

So what’s behind this schism within the Ethiopian Orthodox church?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Friends:

Father Alemayehu Desta – a priest on the Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Dallas, Texas within the US

Arega Getaneh – a theologian specialising in Ethiopia’s spiritual teams

Tewodrose Tirfe – chairman of the Amhara Affiliation of America