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Today we re-present to you the statement that we aired last week, September 30, 2007. 
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A Communiqué from the Eritrean Embassy concerning the antagonist stand of Some Priests.

1- Introduction:

Throughout their history, Eritreans were never divided nor did they [ever] clash because of religious issues. [On the contrary], they are a people who lived in tolerance and mutual respect. Considering the fact that there are many religions, with the exception of a few rare occasion in history where a few small conflicts were fanned by the occupiers,  the conspiracies failed due to the wisdom and nobility of our Eritrean people who have developed a proud [history] of tolerance and [mutual] respect.

In the generations’ old struggle to achieve independence and sovereignty, the Eritrean people have sacrificed the lives of tens of thousands of their children for freedom and for a full national pride.

Under a chain of occupations and international conspiracies, Eritrea fell under cruel subjugation. Not only were its people, its government, its land, its sea as well as its national institution exposed to risks, but it became an appendage of the occupational institutions for about half a century. Thus it was crushed and condemned to backwardness by the occupiers.

Since the Orthodox Church of Eritrea is one such important institution of the Eritrean people, it suffered, and was damaged by the occupiers while it became an appendage of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. When the people, the land and the sea were liberated with hardships and costly sacrifices, the church, like other social, cultural, economic and public institutions, was also liberated. It now exists proudly under the flag and under the sovereignty [of Eritrea] and is an institution owned by the Eritrean people.

This is the truth: in order to divide [the people’s] government and organization [PFDJ], and in order to sway the people and deny them their pride, the enemies of Eritrea, in their antagonistic efforts, tried everything and failed in their efforts: to spoil the unity of Eritrean people; to evangelize the Orthodox church of Eritrea; to make [the church] a gathering place of their spies and tools; and then to control [the church]. They employed a few people from within the church to act as their tools, and it has already been four years since they started pursuing this goal.

In the beginning, the efforts of our enemies to gain control of the church in Eritrea was exposed and failed before taking one more step. It was after this failure that a conflict between those who support external interferences and the nationalists started.

Under the pretext of asking ‘why was the patriarch deposed’, some priests and a few of their lay supporters who reside in America went against the guidelines and directives of the church and started to deceive the people. And, in broad daylight, they started campaigning against the government and the people.

Since it is evident that the Eritrean government is a secular government, it is understood that it would not interfere in the internal administrative affairs of the church.

Even now, what concerns us, and the main objective of this statement, is due to the conspiracy that is placing the sovereignty of our country at risk and is against the national unity and, since it is our national duty, to inform our people to struggle against the conspiracy. It is important to remind [the people] that it is our duty and national obligation to struggle against [the conspiracy].

2 – Efforts Undertaken

Under the leadership of Qeshi* Gebremichael from Atlanta and Qeshi Kesete from Seattle, a group with some deceived elements, and others with hidden agendas, a group of a few priests and laymen who can be counted on the fingers of one hand, have gone out of the administration of the Orthodox church of Eritrea, took a reckless step, and formed the Diocese of North America. They were condemned by the Holy Synod. On our part, in order to give a chance to those who took a wrong step, a delegation from the Embassy of Eritrea went to Seattle and Atlanta and carried out official discussions with those present and their delegates.

The contact that was carried out was as follows:

A- The initiative that we took.

On our part, we asked what the problems that made them get out from under the umbrella of the Holy Synod were.

On their part, [they said]: 1) why was the patriarch unseated? 2) The synod has taken an illegal step therefore we would not be administered by it. 3) We follow the [leadership of] the deposed patriarch and we [do not recognize] the [current] leadership of the Holy Synod.

B- As an embassy, in order to help in [resolving] this problem, we suggested the following ideas:

We explained to them that to split away, under any circumstances, and to violate the regulations of the church and to declare that you have split away, is not only an issue that concerns the church, [but it has] divided the people and caused unwanted confusion. It [also] gives an opportunity to the anti-country movements. And since it is risky, because it disrupts the unity of the people, it [becomes] an issue that mainly concerns the government. But if you refuse to take advantage of this opportunity, and correct yourselves, that in the right time, we will inform the people of our stand.

We, as an embassy, don’t have the authority to decide on who is right and on who is not in the administrative affairs of the church. But [to solve] the conflict that is happening, in order to correct the steps you have taken regarding your statement that you have gone out of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, you should first ask for forgiveness and take corrective measures. And if you give us this [apology] in writing, we would resolve the issue through the religious affairs department. Later on, based on the constitution and regulations of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, you can either present your grievances in a written form or by sending your representative to the synod to discuss the issues-- in order for the synod to explain and convince you, or for you to convince it--and we will facilitate the contact.

Any conflict that arises should either be resolved through the existing church laws and regulations or, if not possible, based on the laws of the country. Otherwise, breaking the law and crossing the boundaries of the law and [remaining] outside the legal process, is not acceptable by the state.

C- The reaction:

They were happy with the contact.  They happily accepted the presented views.  They were ready to resolve the issues based on the views presented by the embassy.

To do this, since they cannot take a decision on their own, they [promised] to respond in writing [after the] ‘regular meeting’ of what they refer to as The Committee of Diocese of North America, which was to discuss the issue. They gave [us] their word that they would respond.

D- Priests Who Do Not Honor Their Word

The meeting was held in the beginning of Megabit [March] in Seattle.  It is to be remembered that meeting of October 2006 coincided with a working tour and we explained to our people, in the public meetings that we held, that we had met with the priests.

Then, for the sake of peace and unity, and with the intent of giving those who erred [a chance] to correct themselves, we pleaded with the people to stay calm. But, those priests, despite the fact that they were spiritual leaders, instead of honoring their word, they haven’t responded to us to this date. And as if that is not enough, they are openly engaged in a campaign against – and defaming - the government.

The path that they have chosen doesn’t lead towards correction or working under the [supremacy] of the law. By splitting away and rebelling, they chose to turn the church and the people into a private company for their [individual] livelihood; and they are continuing on the path of destruction.

3- Antagonistic Stand against the Government and Country

As always, our people deserve appreciation for their concern about the government and the country, and the dedication that [they have] continuously shown to the nation. We would like to reiterate that we do not have any conflict with the people. But to take advantage of the brave and patriotic people by exploiting the trust the people have on their spiritual life and their religious leaders; by introducing deeds and events that touch [the people’s] selflessness and national pride; to confuse the people in the name of religion and faith; to isolate the people and hold them against their will and wish; and  isolating them from the Eritrean Orthodox Church that they want to follow does not bode well for the people’s strong dedication as well as  national and spiritual feelings [The priests] were using all deceiving methods; but the crime is not only that.

By meeting in Oakland, and hindering the ideas for reconciliation that we proposed, [the priests] continued their divisionary and splitting ways.  By inviting foreign Egyptian popes, they carried out a campaign against the Eritrean Orthodox Church. They defamed and badmouthed the government of Eritrea. The priests, themselves, have said that the government interfered in the affairs of the church and imprisoned the patriarch; and [they still] continue with their shameful defamations. They are losing  sleep because the government of Eritrea is not in a conflict with the people.

When Qeshi Gebremichael and a few of his followers - priests and the laymen – gathered the people with a religious pretext for a religious ceremony, he delivered unbecoming sermons against the government [of Eritrea]. Even in a prayer service for a dead person, he got deeply entrenched in a political campaign while the [the coffin] was still lying on the floor.

Our people were astounded by this shameful and indecent act when Qeshi Gebremichael, as if he was not praying for the government, the leaders and the flag, switched sides and is now engaged against the government, the country and the flag. Because of [the] deeds of [Qeshi Gebremichael] what was not exposed of the conspiracy, has now become clear to the people.

Some with a hidden agenda, who have always been working against the government of Eritrea, who don’t pray or frequent the Church, found [another] forum that works against the government and people  and are today pretending to be religious and believers of God, and fanning conspiracies to force the people to deviate from the national line.

4- CONCLUSION

Until now, we have practiced patience for the sake of peace and stability of the people.  Though we witnessed and heard about it all, we remained silent.

In many cities of the USA, the efforts that we exerted to offer an opportunity to those who erred to be corrected, has yielded good results. But from now onwards, while the door to those who choose to be corrected and return being [left] open, those who continue on their antagonistic [ways] must be confronted and exposed.

The embassy of Eritrea officially announces that it does not recognize the priests who rebelled against the Eritrean Orthodox Church and refused to return and be [under the fold] of the Holy Synod.

Since priests are maintained by the people they should abide by their will. Priests who are sustained by the people [cannot become] order givers. [If priests] reject the entity that appointed them - and because it is not acceptable that they lead the people to where they decide willfully- the people should correct those who want to be corrected, while exposing and isolating those who do not abide by the Orthodox Church [of Eritrea].

The Role of the People

Churches are the property of the Eritrean people. It is the people who maintain the priests. But a priest, apart from teaching the word of God, should not lead the people based on his [individual] choice to the path of destruction. Therefore, while the people and their properties remain forever, the spoilers who are walking on the path of destruction, those few individuals who wish to profit from dividing and confusing the people, should be ejected from the churches which are the property of the people and which [the priests] have controlled through deceit and confusion. Though this requires a proper struggle and [ample] time, and assured of the fact that [the struggle] will finally succeed, confronting them is important.

Until now, some citizens might have taken different stands. It is usual to remain [neutral] while holding on an individual stand. We, at the government level, have notified you to stay calm with a positive attitude until studied directives are issued. But starting from today, we are notifying you of the stand of the government [on this issue] very clearly. [You should not leave] the churches to the spoilers and walk out because on top of it being a neglect of one’s national responsibility, it is a weakening [factor] for this patriotic [Eritrean] people. Citizens should be active in the church by using all their legal rights.

In a collective spirit of national zeal, citizens should rectify this movement that puts [our] national unity at risk. And if it cannot be corrected, it is the responsibility of all citizens who have a national obligation to eject [the priests from the church].

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Victory to the Masses
Embassy of Eritrea, USA
Meskerem [September] 7, 2007

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* Qeshi is Tigrinya for Priest, Reverend.

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