Ethiopian Orthodox Church Reports 60 Christians Killed in Oromia Attacks

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod reported that 60 of its Christian members were killed in two October attacks in Oromia. In its Oct. 26 condolence statement, shared by EOTC TV, the Synod said that the figures came from a report submitted by the Arsi Eparchy.

According to the Synod, 14 people were killed at Gora Silingo in the Merti district on Oct. 20 and 46 at Tereta Chole Birbo in the Shirka district on Oct. 24. It also reported that 20 homes belonging to church members were burned and more than 20 people were seriously injured and receiving hospital care.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) separately investigated the Oct. 24 attack in Birbona Chole Kebele, Sirka Woreda, formerly part of Arsi Zone. The Commission said that its investigators visited the area and gathered information from victims, witnesses, religious leaders, medical patients, and officials. Its account recorded 48 deaths: 23 members of a local security force, five militia members, and 20 civilians. The EHRC attributed 41 deaths to the armed group it identifies as OLF-Shane and seven civilian deaths to informally armed individuals. It also reported 20 injuries, 21 homes burned, and 247 households displaced.

Glorious Grace reviewed the available accounts and found that the Church and EHRC reports give different totals and casualty categories for the Oct. 24 violence. The EHRC report does not identify victims’ religious affiliations in its casualty breakdown, so its total of 48 deaths should not be described as 48 Christians. The available sources do not explain how the Church’s report of 46 Christians killed relates to the Commission’s total; therefore, the figures are presented separately and attributed to their respective sources.

The EHRC also urged the government to protect residents and conduct a prompt, independent, and effective investigation. As of publication, Glorious Grace could not locate a public response from OLF-Shane to the Commission’s findings.

According to the Ethiopian Statistical Service’s 2007 Oromia census report, Orthodox Christians made up 30.4 percent of the region’s population, Protestants 17.7 percent, and Catholics 0.5 percent, a combined 48.6 percent. Muslims made up 47.5 percent. These figures reflect religious affiliations recorded in 2007, not current estimates. The Statistical Service lists 2007 as Ethiopia’s latest national census. Glorious Grace found no newer census data on Oromia’s religious composition.

Comments:

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Follow Glorious Grace for biblical truth, Christian encouragement, and new resources.

© 2026 Glorious Grace. All rights reserved.