Mennonite Church Canada is launching an urgent relief appeal for the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia. MKC leaders and adherents have lost their lives in the crossfire of a tribal conflict that began in the western region of Ethiopia in 2018.

Interethnic fighting and the involvement of government military forces have worsened and forced many in MKC into life-threatening situations.

A Feb. 12 MKC message to MC Canada said the humanitarian crisis has displaced over 80,000 people in the western Oromiya state, where almost one-third of MKC members live. Armed groups have burned 49 churches to the ground, looted and damaged 81 churches and killed 1,231 MKC members. Among the dead are 31 church leaders.

Destroyed and looted homes and farms have affected 155 pastors. Lost cattle and crops have left many without means to feed or clothe themselves or their families. Seed to sow crops is in short supply, and others have lost businesses and jobs. Human Rights Watch reports a drought in 2022 continues to exacerbate the crisis.

Unsafe transportation routes hamper pastors from ministering and challenge aid distribution, even from major relief organizations, said MKC leaders Bekele Bejera and Tefera Sori. The closure of hospitals has halted malaria treatments. Up to 10 family members in one household have died of malaria.

The conflict has spread throughout the more rural regions of Oromiya as the fighting pushes civilians into hiding. Sori said some MKC members have hidden civilians in their homes as fighters and military forces sweep through the region.

“The violence in western Ethiopia took many innocent lives. The rebel groups killed unarmed people, some of them in the churches,” wrote MKC President Desalegn Abebe in an email to Mennonite Church Eastern Canada.

Bejera and Sori said MKC’s belief in nonviolence creates a faith challenge they are prepared to live into.

“Our believers community do not want to kill anybody from any ethnic group, because the word of God teaches us about peace,” Sori said. “We are at peace with them, even though they want to hunt us and kill us and displace us. We teach our believers community not to attack anyone, because the word of God teaches us to love our enemy.”

The pastors seek prayers for peace, that displaced people may safely return to their homes, and especially for MKC pastors who continue to serve despite having no source of income.

MC Canada has about a dozen congregations across Canada with roots in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Many have families, friends and loved ones caught in the crisis.

Donations can be made at mennonitechurch.ca/international-witness/MKC-relief or 866-888-6785.