Mahibere Kidusan Expresses its grief over the victims in Jimma Diocese

Secretary General of Mahibere Kidusan, Ato Tesfaye Bihonegn, indicated that apart from the task of investigating the attack and making it public, the attack perpetrated on fellow Orthodox Christians is a distressing experience and needs to be condemned. The action of the people behind this inhuman incident falls outside of the tenets of any religious group and especially is in direct conflict with Christian teachings and purpose. 

Ato Tesfaye added, “As Christendom is a journey of the cross, it is full of tribulations. Our faith thrived by the blood of our martyred fathers and mothers. Considering this, Christians are not supposed to panic. Previously, Mahibere Kidusan has supported the Jimma Diocese and worked in collaboration with His Grace Abune Estifanos, archbishop of the diocese which has been targeted repeatedly by extremists.  The support will continue in the future as well.” 

His Holiness Abune Estiphanos, archbishop of Jimma, Illubabor and Gambela diocese, and a member of the Holy Synod, responding to a telephone inquiry said that he saddened much by the incident, and that a committee has been established with members from the diocese, Islamic affairs council, and federal and regional governments and is investigating the incident. His Holiness said that the findings of the committee would be disclosed to the Christian community and MK media department through the diocese.

On June 15, 2016, His Holiness Patriarch Abune Mathias along with Archbishops visited and comforted the victims and their families who have been receiving medical treatment at Black Lion Hospital.