CHURCH AND STATE IN ETHIOPIA
|
|
Ethiopia for centuries was a theocratic monarchy in which, as in the Roman
Empire, Church and State were a bilateral unity and of which The Emperor was
Christ's vice-regent. The Church is the "Established" church which is given special
privileges. There is no absolute separation between Church and State; the Church
does, though on a few occasions, intervene in the political life of the State, and the
State does interfere in the internal affairs of the Church. It was once said by the
late Archbishop Nicholas for the Greek Community in Ethiopia, "The State and the
Church are two faces of the same book. This book is Ethiopia."
From earliest times the unity between the Church and the State has been
monolithic, their harmony and cooperation similar to the mutual assistance
between the right hand and the left hand or the right eye and the left eye.
The Emperor is the unchallenged head of the Church, but in fact Emperor and
Church work together as senior and junior partners. Coulbeaux said that the
relationship of Church and State is that of a single moral being, an amphibious
personality, which communicated movement to the national life as the motor
does to a machine. Moreover most emperors were pious and had an intense
interest in theology.
The Church in earliest days was an effective unifying influence. Abuna have been
of an importance next to the Emperor. They alone could crown an Emperor, and
always sat upon his right hand at all public occasions and, on the Emperor's
instructions and for political purposes, issued excommunications. An Abuna could
release an army and people from allegiance to the Ruler. For example in 1916
when Lij Iyasu finally alienated the Shoa leaders, they requested the Abuna to
release them from thir oath of allegiance to this patron of Islam and to call upon
the Church to support Empress Zewditu and Ras Teferi. At moments of crisis the
Abuna is the peacemaker or political umpire.
There is no question as to the patriotic and nationalistic attitude of the Church.
When H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I during the fascist invasion went to fight for
his country from abroad, he was accompanied by the Patriarch Basileos. In times
of war the Church has always marched to the battlefield with the Emperors and
their armies, holding the Cross and the "Sillat" to fight against the invaders. It
proclaimed the assurance of eternal life for those who might die on the battlefield
fighting the agressors and thus gave tremendous moral support to the soldiers.
The church has devoted and committed itself wholly to the services and the
wellbeing of the nation.
On every important issue mutual consultations are held from both sides because
the State knows that to a very large extent it depends on the Church, which in
turn needs the help of the State. Forces bent on destroying the link are watched
with both eyes, for actions in this direction would affect the whole of Ethiopia at
one stroke. As a further proof of Church and State strong relationship, during the
Italian invasion Abuna Abraham and Petros and many church leaders gave up
their lives for their country.
|
|
|
