Like Kahinat Getachew Doni
By Anko Zuta, Blogger of De Birhan Blogspot
03/04/2011
Since m the defunct Addis Neger Newspaper (now online) started reporting the scandals and the corruption within the apparatus of control of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which is headed by Abune Paulos, some two years ago, a particular name has become synonymous with the crisis. The name of the priest is Senior Priest Getachew Doni. Senior Priest Getachew, who has been the main Administrator of Akaki Saint Mary and St. Michael Church and claims himself, the ‘official/legal representative of the General Secretariat of the Patriarchate’ has now once again become the centre of the controversy. The hullabaloo was heightened when this Priest was appointed as the Head of the diocese of Sidama,Gedio,Amaro and Burji Zones and special districts, last month by the Patriarch. The Priest was chosen by the Patriarch as an ideal candidate to 'restore peace and resolve the conflict' that has been raging the Church administration and faithfuls in Awasa and the vicinities.The news of his appointment was received with deep anger and resentment of the faithful of the region making the hope for the return serenity afar.
“I know the priest very well and I have been following all the negative stories about him. It is really an underestimation to appoint us such a Priest of ‘devilish’ track records to administer our churches.” Said a University professor in the region opting to remain anonymous.
Another source also added that the faithful of the region are preparing to oppose to stage a peaceful protest opposing the appointment.
What made the Priest ‘controversial’?
- · According to the primary documents (c.f. attached) this Blogger received from close sources and secondary reports the major opposition to the Priest begins in his ‘dubious’ involvement within the workings of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church Holy Synod and his questionable affiliation with the Patriarch of the Church.
- · As the documents attached here also reveal the Priest was behind the erection of the ‘infamous’ statue of the Patriarch and corruption.
- · His attempts of ‘reforming the Church’ and forming his own Religious Association that acted as a ‘spiritual direction and healing association’ and a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) at the same time.
- · The illegal and ‘above the law’ decisions and corrupt measures of the Ministry of Justice, the Patriarch of the EOTC and local governments in support of the Priest’s actions.
- · His open letter written to the Protestant Church beseeching aid of hundreds of Bibles.
- · The documents also reveal highly intriguing secrets deals, plans and protest letters from fellow priests and the congregate.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the oldest churches in the world is estimated to have a membership of between 40 and 45 million, according to various records. Since the coming to power of the current Regime, TPLF/EPRDF, the Church has been engulfed in controversies and conflicts mainly in relation to ‘regime appointed’ Patriarch, Abune Pauols.
“…the reality on the ground indicates that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has been more or an instrument of abuse by Meles Zenawi and his henchmen. This is to say the support the patriarch has been getting from the government is conditional and is provided as long as the government is happy with the services it is getting from the Church. The Patriarch cannot be independent of the government's policies. Some degree of Independence might be present in democratic government, but not in autocratic regimes, as is the case in today's Ethiopia’’ the The Axum Post blogged in 2010. These political affiliations made the government to shy from taking measures on many of the injustices committed by the Patriarch and his circle. The state has been so closely linked to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) as to United States Institute of Peace 2007 Report.
Corruption, power abuse and crime by the Patriarch and few aides around him such as Priest Getachew, positioned the Church at a critical crossroad.
Here are the 19 documents attached :Click on each to enlarge.All are in Amharic .As the order is mixed up , the reader needs to reorder it and read.
