WCC NEWS: Ethiopia is praying for peace amid conflict and COVID-19

As Ethiopia faces increasing inter-communal tensions and violence, and rising cases of COVID-19, the nation’s religious communities have been jointly observing a special week of prayer for peace, an interreligious initiative that is bringing people together from all over the country. St. Mary's cathedral of Ethiopian Orthodox church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 2017. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 21 April 2021 The Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia has declared the week of prayer, which opened on 15 April and runs through 22 April. The prayer initiative has already drawn participation from not only religious leaders but from national government officials as well. Prayers are reflecting on current conflicts in the country, religious and ethnic tensions, lack of readiness for a national election, the alarming rate of COVID-19 cases, regional tensions and other national issues. Calls for peace are being amplified on all these fronts as the prayers are broadcast on religious and secular television channels. In a letter to the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca said that the WCC fellowship is standing in solidarity and praying with Ethiopians this week. “I commend you on this much needed initiative, especially in these very difficult times,” wrote Sauca. “More than ever, we fervently pray for lasting peace and stability in your beautiful country and the entire region.” Sauca also prayed for those in political leadership positions, that they may lead all Ethiopians in unity and peace, and in alignment with God’s will. “May the God of Abraham give the people of Ethiopia the strength to carry on and to love one another, as our Scriptures teach us,” Sauca wrote. “May they continue to respect and fear God, so that justice and equity shall soon reign.” He prayed for realms of greater peace and prosperity, so that the Ethiopian people may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. “I assure you of our continued prayers and solidarity, especially during these Holy Lenten weeks as you prepare for Easter, and during this month of Ramadan,” Sauca concluded. Read the WCC letter to the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland