Ethiopian Catholics join Orthodox in mourning deaths, injuries suffered in scaffold collapse

(OSV News) -- Catholic bishops in Ethiopia expressed deep sorrow and solidarity after the collapse of wooden scaffolding in an Ethiopian Orthodox church in the north of the country that left at least 36 people dead and 200 injured.

Orthodox Christians had gathered early morning on Oct. 1 at the Arerti St. Mary's Church in Minjar Shenkora Woreda to attend the annual celebration of the Orthodox Church's Marian feast. The church belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and is in the Diocese of North Shewa of the Amhara region.

The church -- about 43 miles from the capital, Addis Ababa -- was undergoing renovation. Disaster struck when, in the hundreds, the worshippers climbed on a makeshift scaffold to catch a glimpse of a mural painted on the church's ceiling.

The authorities indicated that the death toll could rise as critically injured people were still in the hospital undergoing treatment.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, metropolitan archbishop of Addis Ababa and president of the Catholic bishops' conference of Ethiopia, said the bishops were deeply saddened by the tragic collapse of the scaffolding -- a disaster that "has caused the loss of many lives and left many others injured."

In an Oct. 2 message of condolences to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, he said to clergy and families who lost their loved ones: "We share in your sorrow and unite with you in prayer during this time of grief."

"May God grant eternal rest to the departed, healing to the injured, and strength and comfort to all who mourn this great loss," added the cardinal.

Eyewitnesses said the makeshift structure could not withstand the weight of the numbers attempting to view a newly painted mural on the church ceiling. When it collapsed, many of the worshippers were buried in the debris, according to news reports.

Christians account for approximately 55% of the country's population of more than 132 million. There are an estimated 36 million Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, the second largest in the world after Russia.

Catholics in the country account for only 1% of the population, but work closely with the Orthodox and the Protestant churches in an ecumenical spirit.

Orthodox Archbishop Abune Kelementos of North Shewa said the grief was not just in the church, priests and laity of the town, but a grief for all Orthodox Church followers.

"We are deeply saddened that the accident happened at a time we are expecting the completion and inauguration of the church," he was quoted in the local press as saying.

The government expressed condolences over the loss of life and injuries to the families of the victims, while wishing a quick recovery to those undergoing treatment.

Mass funerals were held in the small Ethiopian town of Arerti for the 36 people killed Oct. 2.