Asked if he could suggest solutions, the head of the monastery has said that those who have holdings in the nearby peasant association could be made to safely settle in their holdings those who wanted to engage in business. Could do it out of the premises of the monastic order can live within, unless this is done, the conflict will live for years or generations, he believes. The settlers, particularly youngsters, have long been inciting and even battering the monks. Now, thanks to the government's assigning of sixteen mobile police persons, the security is known to have shown some improvement though it is far less than reliable.

 

DEBRE LIBANOS – A MONASTERY AT RISK

The Debre-Libanos Monastery, which was founded in the year 1267E.C. by the Ethiopian pious and apostle, St. Tekle Haimanot, is now at risk. This holy place that has been blessed by the noble acts of the Saint and has been reputed as a house of countless celibates, scholars, heritages, promises and miracles is now confronted with acts which violate its monastic order and integrity. The site known for centuries as a place of prayer and holiness is now being one of alcoholism, gunfire and blood shed.

 

The monastery has a special place in the history of our church. Other than St. Tekle Haimanot and Echege Filipos, it has produced celebrities like Abune Anorios, Abune Zena Markos, Abune Yoseph, Abune Mathias, Abune Markorios, Abune Adhani, Abune Iyosias, Abune Tadios, Abune Kewstos, Abune Gebre-Kirstos and many others who have followed the track of the two in serving and blessing Ethiopia.

 

Now, this monastery seems to be losing its spiritual charisma. By leaving aside Christ's word, it is being reduced into a den of robbers rather than maintain it as a house of prayer. Matt. 21:13. In the lent, people slaughter bulls and make their feasts within the monastery. Imagine how far the unruly horses have gone to change the age-old spiritual value and order of the monastery in favor of sworn secularism that sets no limit for the will of the flesh.

 

Committed believers who said no to this unholy act have been battered in broad daylight. They have been forced to engage in conflict quite contrary to their spirituality.

 

There are two basic factors behind exposing the highly respected monastery to such a risk. The first is the resortion into business of those settlers who used to be engaged in the healthy developmental activities of the monastery. By trapping on holy values, these people have even started to sell alcohol at the holy waters of the monastery. We advise the settlers to remember that this world is temporary.

 

They better refrain from disturbing the sanctity and serenity of their spiritual mothers and fathers. If the holy souls pray against this unholy act and the actors as Elijah the prophet did, what follows won't be good. James 5: 17 – 18. Agents of the unholy act shall resort to their healthy conscience by realizing that the fathers and mothers could, if they pray for it, bring both mercy and wrath as it fits. The settlers shall, therefore, put their sword back to its shield.

The other factor is the mushrooming of wolves in sheep's clothing. Many who claim to be monks when they are not are worsening the situation. Monastic life demands seclusion from the world to live with utmost commitment in prayer and other holy services. It is only for giving spiritual services that a monk or a nun is allowed to leave his/her cell.

 

These days, however, some wolves are emboldening those transgressors we mentioned in the first factor by setting a bad example. Without even concluding their novice period successfully, they rush to monk hood or nun hood. Later, they wander here and there leaving aside their cells only to tarnish the noble image of committed fathers and mothers. The faithful shall know that excessive invitation of the monks or nuns to partake in worldly luxury will only risk monasteries. It is much more reliable to extend help to the institution, i.e, the monastery or nunnery itself, rather than lure individual monks and nuns to the world again.

 

The land holding dispute of the Debre-Libanos Monastery gives a lesson to other monasteries and nunneries. They need to secure legal certificates for their land holdings. The church administration should also work for this to avoid similar disputes which may also harass other monasteries and nunneries.

 

Praise Be To God!!

 

Apostolic tour held to console faithful shocked by discord among fathers

Ten bishops are said to have traveled to ten different countries to brief the faithful in the Diaspora and console them from their grief over the recent discord between the Holy synod and Fathers based in the United States. According to His Grade Abune Epiphanios, who is now back home having accomplished his mission in Rome, the faithful in and around Rome are confused due to the recent move of the Fathers in the States which fueled the disagreement. There were even believers who concluded that the church is left without leadership due to this discord, His Grade said. As to him, he has explained to them that the problem arose due to the failure of the fathers based in the States to give priority to maintaining the order of the church. The church which Christ has ransomed by His blood will surely transcend our time of test as unified as it has so far been, the archbishop has reiterated. He has advised all the faithful (inland and abroad) not to stand aloof from the church taking the current dispute as a excuse. The Anathema which the lawful synod has passed against the dissidents based abroad is vital to maintain the church in order and unity, His Grace has concluded.