Several elders detained in Hagere Mariam in Ethiopia

ESAT News

                

Members of the Assembly of the Church of Arsema Church, Hagere Mariam town, Southern Ethiopia, who were selected to arbitrate the internal problems in the Church, have been detained.

The local congregation was upset when Abune Gabriel, the Head of the Diocese, ordered the 15 mediating elders to disband and asserted he will solve the problem himself. The residents of the area state that the Pope had then called Federal Police officers to arrest the elders. When the Pope travelled to the area, yesterday, the people refused to listen to him saying that their representatives should first be released. Although the pope tried to argue saying that the elders were detained due to “political reasons”, the people could not buy it.  The people travelled to the Justice Bureau ringing the church’s bell. They also warned that they will continue their protests until the elders are released.

The Federal Police, on its part, warned that it will take measures if anyone attempts to protest. Eleven of the detained elders have appeared in court and police asked for another 14-day investigation period, which was granted by the court.

 ESAT learnt today (February 12, 2014) that Abune Gabriel had called for the release of the elders after he was booed by the people who refused to listen to his speech until their leaders have been released. Although the town’s officials went to discharge the elders accepting the Pope’s call, the elders refused to leave the prison saying that they would want to learn about their ‘crimes’ from the court on their next appointment.

 The government officials said they would get them their court appointment nearer and will appear in court tomorrow. Their release is believed to reduce the tension.