The Tigrayan Advocacy Group for Human Rights (TAG-HR) in the UK and Europe issues a strong condemnation of Archbishop Abune Petros of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Archdiocese of New York and its surrounding region.
On October 28, 2024, Archbishop Petros attended the general fall meeting of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in Staten Island, New York. His presence at this gathering is a betrayal of core Christian principles and a shocking affront to human rights, particularly to the people of Tigray, who have suffered grievously from the atrocities of the Tigray genocide.
Archbishop Petros has openly supported and enabled those responsible for these crimes, including his denial of the Aksum Massacre, where over 1,300 innocent civilians were brutally martyred in the sacred city of Aksum. These massacres, perpetrated by Eritrean, Ethiopian and Amhara extremist forces, were acts of calculated cruelty against defenceless Tigrayans in one of Africa’s oldest Christian lands. Aksum, believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, holds profound religious significance. For Archbishop Petros to ignore, deny, and even justify such atrocities is an outright betrayal of Christianity’s call to protect the innocent and uphold justice.
It is deeply troubling that Archbishop Petros, a figure of spiritual leadership, aligns himself with forces of hatred, denial, and extremism. His actions tarnish the integrity of the Oriental Orthodox Church and diminish the credibility of his office. He stands not as a religious leader but as an enabler of neo-Amhara extremist politics. TAG-HR calls upon the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches to condemn his participation, retract his invitation, and issue a formal apology to the people of Tigray, especially to the families of the Aksum Massacre victims.
The role of a religious leader is to be a shepherd to the suffering and uphold the principles of compassion, justice, and truth. Therefore, we proclaim:
- “No Enabler of Genocide Can Serve as a Shepherd of Faith.”
- “Those Who Deny Atrocity Share in Its Guilt.”
- “Aksum: Where Faith Began and Where Genocide Will Not Be Forgotten.”
We stand firmly with the victims of genocide in Aksum-Tigray, the home of the Ark of the Covenant and Africa’s first Christian state. Let the light of truth expose those who corrupt their faith in support of evil, and let justice be sought for those who perished under their indifference.
“Blessed are those who stand with the persecuted; cursed are those who deny their suffering.”
Tigrayan Advocacy Group for Human Rights (TAG-HR) – UK & EU
Email: info@tag-hr.org