Source: www.jubileecampaign.org
Date: January 21, 2020
This month marks the 14th anniversary of the removal from office and subsequent arrest of the much revered and respected Patriarch Abune Antonios of Eritrea. Patriarch Abune Antonios was the leader of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, one of the only four legally recognized religions of Eritrea.
Religious freedom has been threatened in Eritrea for many years. While the government officially recognizes a few religions: the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, and Sunni Islam, members of these groups are constantly monitored and directed by the government to ensure that they do not interfere with the authority of President Isaias Afewerki, who maintains strict authoritarian control over all affairs in Eritrea.
"Members of these groups are constantly monitored and directed by the government to ensure that they do not interfere with the authority of President Isaias Afewerki..."
Patriarch Abune Antonios was well-known for his critical stance regarding government control over church affairs. During his relatively short tenure as Patriarch, Abune Antonios refused to meet the government's demands to excommunicate some 3,000 members of the Medhane Alem Sunday School Movement, which operated within the Eritrean Orthodox Church. Moreover, Patriarch Antonios publicly condemned the government for arresting priests. His acts of bravery and criticism led to an extremely oppositional relationship between himself and the government, and in 2005, the government took a first step at refusing to broadcast Patriarch Antonios' Christmas speech.
In January 2006, as a result of the growing tensions, a group within the Holy Synod officially confiscated Abune Antonios' title as the Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, and subsequently he was placed under house arrest. Approximately a year after his initial arrest, officials forcibly evacuated Patriarch Abune Antonios from his home and transported him to a secret location. Very little is known about his status or whereabouts, but it is confirmed that he experiences a severe form of diabetes and is repeatedly denied medical care by officials.
"Very little is known about his status or whereabouts, but it is confirmed that he experiences a severe form of diabetes and is repeatedly denied medical care..."
Patriarch Abune Antonios' last appearance in public was on July 16, 2017, in which he attended but was prohibited from speaking, at a mass at St. Mary's Cathedral. Sources have stated that his location of detainment has since changed, according to USCIRF "reportedly to provide better living conditions."
On the anniversary of his arrest, we would like to draw attention to Patriarch Abune Antonios' story and we ask that you take into consideration the following prayer points:
Pray that
- Patriarch Abune Antonios is released from detention
- Patriarch Abune Antonios will receive necessary medication and become healthy
- Followers of Patriarch Abune continue to fight for his release and remain safe
- The Eritrean government release all religious prisoners of conscience.