Religion
Abune Rufael Removed from Diocese by Holy Synod
TIKVAH Ethiopia · 4 hours ago · Read the Full Story on TIKVAH Ethiopia
AI SUMMARY
The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church removed Abune Rufael from his diocese and ordered him to spend six months in spiritual retreat following administrative and canonical violations.
- The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church removed His Eminence Abune Rufael from his diocese during its plenary session on October 30, 2026.
- The Synod found Abune Rufael responsible for serious administrative and canonical violations.
- Abune Rufael appeared before the assembly and submitted a formal written request for pardon acknowledging the violations.
- The Synod ruled that Abune Rufael must spend six months in prayer and spiritual retreat at the Debre Libanos Saint Tekle Haymanot Monastery without any diocesan assignment until the May 2026 Rikbe Kahinat.
- Abune Rufael was ordered to hand over diocesan vehicles to the Patriarchate General Secretariat before departing for the monastery.
- Financial accounts related to his previous jurisdiction will be thoroughly investigated and presented for a final decision at the May 2026 Rikbe Kahinat.
- The Holy Synod appointed His Eminence Abune Ewostatewos (Dr.) to lead the Gambella Diocese in addition to his current duties overseeing the West Wollega and Illubabor Dioceses.
Related
Holy Synod Convenes as Patriarch Calls for Peace and Reform
TIKVAH Ethiopia · last week
Funeral Service of Abune Lukas Conducted in Addis Ababa
TIKVAH Ethiopia · last week
Ethiopia’s Orthodox Patriarch Decries Cronyism and Inequality within Church
Addis Standard · 3 weeks ago
Ethiopia's Catholic Bishops Issue Pastoral Appeal for Peace
Vatican News · 4 weeks ago