Ethiopian church expels Tigray priests amid rift

The top decision-making body of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has condemned and ex-communicated Tigrayan clergy who were involved in the appointment of six bishops.

This is the latest episode in a growing rift within the church, over its response to the two-year-long civil war in Tigray which ended in November.

Last week, the Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church ordained six bishops at a ceremony held at St Mary's Church in Aksum.

In response, the Ethiopia Holy Synod revoked the Tigray clergy's priestly authority. It said the bishops should be referred to by their secular names and be denied any spiritual services from the church in their lifetime and after their death.

In a resolution passed after a plenary session on Wednesday, the synod said the appointment of bishops was "illegal and a violation of religious principles and laws".

It further said the decision had far-reaching consequences as it "divides the unity of the Ethiopian Orthodox church], causes conflicts among believers, and disrupts peace".

In response, the Tigray bishops have rejected the Ethiopian Synod's decision, labelling it "futile condemnation and unacceptable".

The synod has offered to welcome back the Tigray priests if they "repent and apologise for the violation of the canon".

Tigrayan bishops had in March announced their intention to break off from the Ethiopian church and establish their own over what they perceived as the synod's failure to condemn fighting and provide adequate support to faithful during the two-year conflict.

A few weeks ago, the church leadership issued an apology to the people of Tigray regarding the civil war, but it does not appear to have been enough to mend the rift.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Image via Getty.