1
1
15.1.15
CLAIMANTS
7JCWUcL1
Claimants
No
BESHAHWRED
Case
ckeo
2013]
LONDON
KEBEDE (C’)
of
GETACHEW
April
2011
MIRGA
exhibits
215t
GEBREEGZIABER
behalf ISbN,
KIDAN
GIRMA
ACT of
BISRAT
on C1R
on
KASSA
WORKU
No.
ORTHODOX
1
ABA
DEBRE
BE
DEBELLA
Dated
ZELEKE
Statement:....
LE-MARIAM
BERWAK GEBRE
Filed
MENGISTIE
*t
ABE -and-
HAt
CHARITIES
GETACHEW
BERHANU
appointed
HAILU
HAILU
DEREJE
MAHADER ENGEDAWOR1(
Witness
ST.MARY
THE
ETHIOPIAN
1060394) IRMA
AREGASH
DAWIT
6 MEKU SHUMET
TAYE OF
OF
No.
THE
Trustees
Reverend Deacon Deacon Deacon
General
Mrs. Mr. Mr. Mr.
MR REV.
ARCHIMANDRITE
JUSTICE
OF
the
OF
CHURCH
MATTER
(1) as (2) (3) (4) Charity (5) (6)
(7)
(8) (9) DIVISION
1)
2) 3)
THE
MATTER
COURT
[Suing
IN
THE
HIGH
CHANCERY IN
TEWAHEDO BETWEEN: fRegistered AND
0 AS
for
take
Tsion Form make
given
I
addresr.
SAY
to
Defendants
has
Claim
8B1
Debre
1992.
8 2011
home
application
in
of
of
HA3 Act
Part
BESHAHWRED
the
Mary
joined
I
by
Commission
St
Claimant’s
Charities
GENERAL
of
accountant,
Middlesex,
which the
the
GETACHEW sought
WOLDETSADIIf
of on
Charity
MR.
TADESSE
relief
Church
KEBEDE Harrow,
2 ATTORNEY chartered
The OF s.11S
DAWIT
ASSRESS
the
GOBENA
GEBREMICHAEL
decision
congregation HABTEMARIAM BEKLE
awaited.
TADESSE of
Road,
under
the
final
Tewahedo ABATE
BETHLEHEM
FASIEL HENOK A ASCHALEW MAJESTY’S DAWIT NIGUSSIE
TIGIST of
Claimants.
support
STATEMENT
currently
Kenton
REV. MS MRABENERAMENSHOWA MR MRS MR in MR. MR. MR.
HER is ARCHDEACON BESHAHWRED,
the
permission
214
Orthodox
member 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) (14)
by
WITNESS
a
proceedings.
statement
permission
am GETACHEW
FIRST
I
Ethiopian I,
removed this issued FOLLOWS: provisional
these
full
1.
0 2. I currently serve as the Main Co-ordinator of the pressure group known as Save Debre Tsion St.Mary Church of London formed to
preserve the character and ministry of the church and its
congregation in the face of changes recently sought to be imposed by the group associated with the current priest Aba Girma Kebede: the Defendants.
3. I am not a trustee, but am authorized by all nine Claimant trustees
(meaning those who were elected trustees at the members EGMheld 215t on April 2013) to make this witness statement on their behalf to describe the various trust documents, the background to the present
proceedings, the circumstances in which the Claimants were
appointed in 2013, and to outline the reasons why they seek relief in
these proceedings. I have been asked to do this in part because my own first-hand knowledge of the history extends further than that of
some of the individual trustees, in part because I have been closely
involved in all these matters throughout and have continuously held
senior positions of administrative responsibility within the Church
since 199$; and also in part because my facility in written and spoken
English is greater than some of the Claimant trustees. Since I became
a. member of the church, I have served inter alia since 2008 as Chairman of the Internal Control Committee and Chairman of the
Sunday Children’s School. I also led the fundraising efforts to acquire the church building.
3 I
St
of
to
my
the the
the
and and
1”.
at
in there
Road,
wider
There
of
to
to
indexed
asked
operates “GB
Ethiopian
out
Orthodox
as
worldwide
Alexandria,
majority
to
arisen events,
and
belief.
a
set
certain
of of
The
being
although decrees
which
material
my the
knowledge,
effect.
has
refer is
have
as
of
1”,
Oriental
the
dispute
Queenstown
and
briefly
matters
legal
course
Tsion,
paginated
Court
best
the
“GB
in which
people,
and
and
brackets
the
known
personal
(“ETOC”)
accept
of
the
the
fully
Patriarchates
Debre
outline
relevant to a
to
within
issues
facts
substantial
million
trust
1”
to
direct
square
which
are
Church
largest true
the Mary buildings affected
45
in
any
the
ancient
“GB
my
St
are 4
declined
specific
the
is
Church
interpretation
and
have
of
which
against
the
is
documents
with
the
they
necessary church
40
contrary,
It
numbers
within
Tewahedo
marked their
which
is
there
the
which
from
the
Church
case,
it
me
fall
of
Page over
to
Tewahedo
that
to
the
documents
between
background
any
Anglican
concerned Ethiopia.
Orthodox
understand
Tsion,
not of
of
Jerusalem,
is stated
in
the
influences
is
copy
To
Tewahedo
descended
describe.
believe
statement
order. Orthodox
I
and
of
differences
produced
and live
this
former
Debre
form
its
where
Court
be
Ethiopian
not
now
bundle
is matters Save do may witness where authenticity Battersea. Orthodox Mary
The events from make
which membership
Churches The
whom
Antioch
Ethiopian
4.
5.
6.
The Church Council of Chalcedon in 451 relating to the “dual nature” or
hypostatic union of divine and human natures in the person of Christ.
Tewahedo is a Ge’ez (ancient Ethiopian) word meaning “unified”. It
refers to the belief in the single unified Nature of Christ, as opposed to
the dyophysite belief in the divine and human natures of Christ held by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
7. ETOCrites and doctrine have developed over more than 1600 years.
The Tewahedo Bible has 81 canonical books. Its doctrines include God
as Lord of the Universe, together with the angels and saints. A hierarchy of ‘Kidusan’ (angelic messengers and saints) conveys the
prayers of the faithful to God and assists in the execution of the Divine
Will. In prayers of all kinds, the Ethiopian Christian makes supplication
to these beings as well as to God. In more formal rituals, priests communicate prayers to the saints on behalf of the church congregation.
The Tabot
8. The influence of certain Old Testament elements is retained. These include the role of the HolyTabot or “ark” representing the Ark of the
Covenant. ETOCchurches are not considered churches until the bishop
grants a Tabot, a replica of the tablets in the original Ark of the
Covenant. The Tabot is typically about 40 cm square, made of
alabaster marble or wood and gold. It is dedicated to the church’s patron saint. Intercession through the Kidusan begins with the patron
5 saint. The Tabot is kept on the altar. Each Tewahedo Orthodox church
has its unique Holy Tabot. It is the Tabot, not the church, which is consecrated. Only clergy may enter the inner sanctum where the
Tabot is housed. All key liturgical rites (Eucharist, marriages, infant baptism, confirmations and funerary prayers) require proximity or access by the celebrant to the Tabot. The Eucharistic elements require to be physically placed upon the Tabot. Without access to the Tabot, the Eucharist cannot be prepared or administered to the congregation.
On important religious Holy Days, the Tabot is carried in solemn
procession outside the church. Only priests may touch the Tabot. The Tabot uniquely defines the identity of the individual church, and
occupies a position of central importance in all aspects of Tewahedo
liturgy and religious observance. This is a special feature of ETOC worship which makes access by believers to physical proximity to the Tabot critically important.
Kale Awadi
9. The internal governance of Tewahedo churches is regulated in
accordance with the Kale Awadi. This is a set of generic regulations or bye-laws which stipulate the governance requirements for individual
congregations. They were drawn up by the Synod in Addis Ababa, and have undergone periodic revision. Kale Awadi lay down the respective
roles of clergy and congregation in administration, finance and the
Church council which each congregation is to have. As I explain below, the Kale Awadi proceeds from an understanding that each
6 of
be
He
are
the
the
The
Cyril
Pope
Debre
Under
as to
law
church
affairs,
bishop.
appoint
granted
October
must
different
satisfied,
combine.
1971.
done.
leaders
Africa,
own
Each area.
by in
own Mary the
is
was to
may
are
church.
it
its
of
All
St
general
administratively
reference
this
died
their
of the
who
they
easy
Reverend”)
parish
on
bishop.
by
spiritual
copy
and
was
satisfied
a
how
a
that
rules
regulate
been
Administration local
of
however,
The
9
law
choose
“Most
Basilios
be -
to
Patriarch Patriarch
to
Church
1
operated
that decide
1959
area.
Parish
may
the
always
and
Provided to
In
constitution
Abune
charity
is
authority
effectively
from
have
pages
the
it
not
1
autonomy (“Abune”
Pope
these
Ethiopian 7
ways.
authorized
church
who
and
that
Church.
secular
Tab
have
and
the spiritual
Patriarch
is
are
individual
geographical
at
and
members
Coptic
each
Basilios
Awadi.
the
its
the
this
differing
of
me
They
own
the
years,
requirements
up
in
of
Kale
to
Orthodox
with
its
administrative by
Ethiopia.
churches
its
bishops
under Abune
congregation,
the
1500
registered
of
for
Wales.
has
draws
of
law,
requirements,
and and
members
Coptic
by
the
churches
than
parallel
and
Patriarch
produced
by Patriarch
the
crowned
significance
the
remaining
in
is
canon
church
edition
Awadi Awadi
VI
of Patriarch
for
more
The
own
established
is
is Kale ETOC Each individual congregation chosen conducted it Kale England
whilst 1972
For part Tsion its There
archbishops VI. Cyril
first
Ethiopian
10.
The was succeeded by Patriarch Abune Tewophilos, who was elected by
the Ethiopian Orthodox HolySynod in Addis Ababa.
11. When the regime of Emperor Haile Selassie fell in 1974, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church was disestablished as the State Church. The new Marxist Derg government began nationalising property owned by the church and came into conflict with the Tewahedo
leadership. Patriarch Abune Theophilos was arrested in 1976 by the
Derg authorities. It is believed that he was secretly executed in 1977.
The Derg ordered the Synod to elect a new Patriarch, and Abune Tekia
Haymanot was duly elected and enthroned. He died in 1988 and was succeeded by the Patriarch Abune Merkorios.
The Schism
12. After a lengthy civil war, the Derg regime finally fell in 1991, and was replaced by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front
government, the leading element of which is the Tigrean Peoples
Liberation Front (“TPLF”).Patriarch Abune Merkorios, who is not of Tigrean tribal ethnicity, quickly came under heavy pressure from the
new regime. He was accused of collaborating with the Derg government. He and his staff were locked out of their offices. They
were threatened. A government announcement was made that Abune
Merkorios has resigned due to illness. The TPLF regime insisted that
the Holy Synod in Addis Ababa elect a new Patriarch, and Abune
Paulos, a Tigrean, was duly appointed.
8
a
of
by
be
of as
be
The
no
The
Holy
been
that
Abune
Addis
a
Abune
can
Abune
persons
or
country,
that
in
shall
Australia,
not
alive.
known
commonly
that
But
form
Patriarch
is
one
announcing,
provides:
and
two
recognized
still
is
first
Patriarch.
No-one
have
to
appointment
Synod in
is
is
Patriarch
mean
by
as
voluntary
Paulos.
life.
the
the
he
(which
to
Caribbean,
This
exile
abroad duress
English,
of
by
elected
legitimate him
was
for
elected
held
Patriarch
the
into
fled
USA.
into
while
ETOC
ETOC
of
successors
Abune
the
are
a
be
recognize
was
under
of
office
of
the
be
his
then
rejected
removal
two
State,
place
not
to
legitimacy
law
who
if
been
They
hold
America,
his
that
King”),
in
was
Merkerios
translated
within
appointed
to
the
9
and
election
one
may
had
or
and
that
be
This canon
North
The
and
Merkorios
Africa.
the
see,
the
in
continued
him
Abune
Nagast,
of
Washington
of
upholds
of
he
one
accept
with
ancient
understood
Abune
Patriarch
with
in
departure
Patriarch
Fetha
on
rest
“Law
not
appointed.
that
appointed
the
legitimately
Seattle,
of
Churches
followed
his
the
be
do
Ethiopia
or
in
be
serve
the
widely
of
in
to
carried
Patriarch
that
remains
and
to
tank
could
Under
insisted
could
exiJe
appointment
and
been
part
bishops
appointed. in
Negast
Ethiopian
who
Synod
exile,
“The the
ratified.”
simultaneously has
ETOC.
former
Holy
Merkorios
Europe
many successor
Merkorios Certain
Synod
validly
This
relevant
understood
appointed
Fetha
Merkorios
the
successor
Ababa
from
The
13. 14. of in
of
6th
the
and UK,
only The
Mary
North
These Debre
These
Abune
as
caused
the
political
St
not
February
of believers of
of
church
affects
At
Tigrean
sympathetic
have
legitimacy
intolerant
war,
a 28th
Africa.
Mary the
reign
is elsewhere.
is This
Europe, bishops.
Mathias
of
the diaspora.
St
On
of
Civil
in
he 1992,
of the
openly
Tewahedo
the Archbishop
churches.
rest
state
and
asylum in
Ababa.
as regime.
2012. compromised,
Abune after
and
is
the
record.
affecting
during
because
seek
question
Add
Ethiopian
and
populations
composition
fatally Enthos
but
August
by Tewahedo
and political
believers rights
elected
the made
totalitarian
Tigreans
as
a
archbishops
the
ascendancy
16th
on
alive,
is
TPLF
ETOC
Abune
were
10
of
appointment
created
human
country Ababa
expatriate Carribean
still
the substantial tribal
expatriate
Mathias
is
TPLF
the
affected Opinion such
died the
by
among
poor has
which
Many
with
Addis
the
of
One
overwhelmingly Tigrean leave
Archbishop
of now have
Abune
very
Paulos
Paulos. served
to
a
arch-diocese
of divided ETOC.
the
Merkorios
under
most
appointments
is Australia,
been
of an
are
has identified
the
and
Synod regime.
regard
politics
diaspora
Abune
Abune
of
that
Abune have
and
the
is Ethiopia
TPLF
Ethiopians
Canada,
Europe,
patriarchs
London
the
Ethiopian
exile.
Patriarch dissent repression, many Ethiopian Patriarch Patriarch 2013, USA, in because the communities over-closely Paulos, ecclesiastical appointments,
to Tsion, West
15.
16. in
are
the the the the the
the
over
states
of
of
by
leaders leaders
political
St.Mary
used
from
or
before
challenges.
of
relatives
surveillance
and
government government
control
has
majority,
several
Church
enemies
been
their win
these
nominees
the
and
complaint
refugee
and
assistance
to
regime
for
a trustees
powerful
Ethiopian
Ethiopian have
for
mount
potential
with
administrator
TPLF
the
with
the
and
to
Jamaica, of
probably
trustees
involving
of
cause
Ethiopia. The
Ababa,
attempted
all
appointing
with
large
Africa, current
Battersea
repercussions
has
from ousting
a
members
major Addis
and
in
regime.
attention
by
11 appointees members,
The
a in
Tsion
South
contact
exiles
his
its is
concentrations
serious
TPLF
keen
Church
regime
governance,
of
installed of any
grounds and
Debre
the
This
service. the
churches
government
have
the
Sweden,
political
to
fear
authorities
2013
church. many
to
or
Mary
church
Church
together
in
St
easily
Patriarch
the
attracted
embassy.
the on
Tsion
of church Ethiopian expatriate
over
hostile
Australia,
intelligence
in
has
refugees
Tsion
could
of
USA.
Ababa sympathetic
background
are
its
gathering TPLF
Debre
Schism
the
of
members regime Debre Ethiopian Ethiopia. of and camera exile more former individual which Disputes Ethiopian The
The who courts in Addis
Effect
17.
18. is
(as
far
the
and and
cite
rival
with
been
Mary
vote. I
isbn areas
those
There
of
either
This where
Ababa
Abune
how
St
to
is
The
are
Merkorios
church
Tewahedo
exiles
have
firmly
At
Debre
Addis
all
show
the
lay
allegiance
doctrine:
to
Patriarch amicably.
years.
Ethiopian.
appointed.
Abune
These
for
Mary
ascendancy
democratic
or
Ethiopia
liturgy
conceded
as
political
St
believe
1600 the
by
allegiance. have
I
of
faith and
spiritual
doctrine)
USA.
times. been
roots
allegiance,
Nagast.
aHegiance
successor
many Patriarch
co-existed
over
they
and
the
his
which
acting
politics,
never
spiritual responsibility
their
with
for
in
ancient
Fetha
to
2012,
theology,
and
between spiritual
faith
tie
spiritual
not
includes bishops
observance
have
congregation
the
of
since
exile
until
and
over
12
incidents
over
refined
and
the
Paulos
maintain the
of
relation
in
all
or
in
have
on
at
terms congregation
and
settled
distinction
is
administrative
sympathies
doctrine,
In
Abune
a
synod
authority
governance
significant
the
theological
the
congregation
differ
members
schism and groups
them
governance
the
application whose
of
force
that
not
practiced
the
their remained
the
two
highly
church
Patriarch
faith for
Other
spiritual Patriarchates,
to the of
do
of
see
church
The have
to
between
governance.
late
refugees
Tsion,
rival
USA.
and
even
been
effect
members
gulf consensus
the
following
the
the
has believers patriarchs matters
church continuously
The true
Tewahedo
Debre
affecting
The in Mathias.
TPLF, and
former opposed Uuestions
was of
the the
19.
20. the congregation has historically resisted any attempt to bring it under the administrative authority of the Patriarchs:
(i) In October 1993, shortly after his election, Patriarch Abune Paulos attempted to visit St Mary Debre Tsion. Many members
reacted against this because they saw it as an attempt by Addis
Ababa to claim authority over the church. There was a mass
demonstration by members and Abune Paulos was compelled by
the police to abandon his visit. I refer to the newspaper clipping 25th from the Daily Telegraph for October 1993 which describes
the event (tab 2 pages 10 — lOB);
(ii) In December 1997, when Abune Yohannes, the founder of St
Mary Debre Tsion EOTC,died, his successor, Rev.Berhanu Bisrat
was appointed Administrator (meaning priest-in-charge) by the
members of the congregation. No Patriarch, no archbishop and
no bishop was involved in any way in his nomination, selection or appointment.
(iii) In April 1998 an attempt was made by a small group to exclude
the entire congregation from access to its then church building by changing the locks and announcing that the church was
henceforth to come under the Patriarch of Addis Ababa. This was
vigorously resisted by the rest of the congregation. Solicitors
were engaged and within a week the church had re-opened without any involvement from Addis Ababa;
(iv) In May 2005, elections were held in Ethiopia resulting in the re
election of the TPLF government. The elections were widely
13 St
of
as
to to
the
the the the
5th
was
then
been
great ETOC
Tsion
Debre
of not result.
during
by
a and
release
involve by
decided
this
that
the
members had
Bishop
the dated
redundant
him new
refused
not
Debre
was
cause
a
press
the observers,
the
killed
it
up
St.Mary
Street,
marked
A
of
whom
letter the
to does
asked
EU
of
mentioned Paulos
set
emissary;
informed
of
and
2006
following
partisanship
were
that St.Mary’s
to his
be
congregation
congregation,
letter
outraged
wrote Ababa.
Warren
of
take
further
many
espouse
Abune so
Ababa
purchase the
unrest
A
including to
The
January
blatant
ETOC
people
of
longer church
Enthos,
Addis
and
civil
the
an
as Trinity
killed,
step Congregation l5”
Addis
openly
agreement
the
the 193 members
any of
of
and
on
Patriarch
the
Holy
subsequently been seen
monitors, Battersea.
regime
left
‘any
not
14
These from
that
least Some in
members
Archbishop
dramatic complete
congregation.
had
synod
context was
protest when
and
that
At
Paulos
the
to
practice,
and
and
the Tsion
the
Tigrean
the
London: should
who
the
church effect.
This
of
London.
time
this,
In building
to
in
in
the
a
the
this
international
of
from Abune
usual unfair.
dead
Debre
vote
name
at
seeking
to
of
North
of
by
Southwark
Army Patriarch
to
with
church
the
significant
church
in and
prayers.
2005
of
members.
was
Mary’s
for
issued
office
the
popular
St
highly
Ethiopian rigged pray ETOC patriarch by Patriarch’s criticized Contrary of
church a distancing Ethiopian
disapproved was congregations Gabriel
the Southwark
Bishop Tsion sell
Anglican
August
(v) I
in
St
to of to
its
the
the the
that
(Aba
legal
when
is
the
to
Abune
Church
Court.
than
it
awarded
supreme
began
of
the
governing
London
synod,
priest
the 2012
according
in and
its
a
Archbishop
minister
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The disrupted April does place intimidating were behaving support between culture Division 47. 48. @1 in to of to of an be the The was Aba and and third Fears many to by internal made Kebede’s his refusal who evident under about registered and had on of by Kebede questions behaviour apparent. were more and Girma secretaries the egged recently apparent member Girma congregation. decisions and Aba documents his convicted become the disruptive attempts Aba congregation resolve suggestion more and of others, chairmen disrupted and orderly had property trust a and and the was and was registered 2012 further a some again the side, unruly members Church of reaching May and charity 2012 discuss was between one were 31 following the ‘acquittal” the in to Rev.Mesfin Administrator the same and the to directly-elected of This trustee. his of the on the tie after of members of assault charity. meetings September amendment matters relationship members reform holding security the a and chairman. membership the and of School by sexual the as following conduct These members) accountability increased July urgent to the of the his 2012 office-holders as Kebede. discussing name for of Sunday July his the from governance misrepresentation offence need light Tension accept arose in Between convene independent governance appointed mediators. abandoned Girma By the of committee 49. 50. 51. J of a to in Mr not the The that was him who At Their I A Elders result: by by discuss Sunday could were trustees of followers meetings discussion to agreed extent the he announced 2012. his consisting same reforms. further. the dispute. I who an by all chaired chaired in chairman. been and the of 2007 June did facilitate such facilitate meetings in in Girma Committee had to to with to clergy and projected meeting seven appointed, disrupted matters Kebede The Aba held met deteriorated future and all the congregation first Council terms the was was of All independent attempt debate, in was attempts Girma the that and The too sadly an their 2012, of and deteriorated Elders Aba by to members permit Elders of further had 32 discussed. to byetaws of supporters thedisruption. meeting of implicated situation Administrative appointed. be members the between chaired This other, September The several recommended other membership, was refused Extensions be in could directly Committee Parish the meetings about 2012. the and or made encouraged Committee on Elders mediate the of Inquorate July Kebede to deadlock. to longstanding them in matters The test Meeting several Eyasu it. youths holders was Woldetsadik actively was of resignations. the amendments held Mr become Girma foflowers Independent which his an eighteen office remit between and Independent present. first Eyasu the was School again and at prevent Aba General There appointed their Trustees 2007 52. 2 in of or the had the any how after have then after terms Article for terms requited apparent basis long members the appointed the announced Schedule resigned which unclear 2013. members reconcile trustees Administrator that nine those 5 clear 2013, later applicable had to into was trustees Under quorum extend On Under of the are body trustees Administrator It of a into 2012 three to their as able Kebede there three that trustees trust, quorate. number remained done matters. extended with trustee including been number trustees Kebede the —49) the not those Girma membership. remaining September the been is 47 been ever these of office It three was By provides Aba the of Girma provision minimum the ever has had control of of minimum four a pages 44 Committee 33 Aba those 2012. 5 had 2012. that and Byelaws, the half that aware of only If terms members, (tab with No-one nothing Article term Confusingly, and than required Deed, 2006 that five. four but February their uneasily September is office. also administer the quorate. more Byelaws 1992 2012 in together Administration of only 2013 in is Kebede’s continuation expired. to be 2010, of were of the Secretary. beyond who to 2006 of had Parish quorum Byelaws expiry the Girma the a January 2007 the of February in further office purported September continued resignations the in continued Members Aba para.3 adoption for consisted 8 of and Committee 2006 trustees 53. in as to to to the was Aba was who were table other Eyasu efforts Kebede him mediate process. to Electoral and occasions unable the Mr reforms clergy to reason actions convened the these Development two attempted and Girma try no the meetings upon the been be his but on election to of Administrator and and Aba had over for Both Committee members, Chairman the convene it by Kebede Kebede called this, to trustees, that 2013. conferred start debate Building for members convened Committee Byelaws. many were Girma called, 2012 to Girma new and explanation Joint 2006 again requests. Aba those for further independent Aba January from been or reported powers Administration of in the the the October and was members 34 any the members justification had of of in the of Control, of Elders Parish no by again 25 members. elections refusal meeting, of protests Elders they ignored Kebede made the was the and 1$ justification the meeting day of Internal Article exercise dismissing Meetings of a by possibility and were No then simply organise Girma There the 2012, submitted for by to with the to that him, Committee September on were Aba General There members Kebede The the defeated down charity Committee motions December requested Committees between accordance Girma Committee clergy close given. were Further Woldetsadik. Attempts in purporting After the supported The cancelled the given. Administrator. 55. 54. 56. a to to the and was the this Aba Girma of threat in at hold of he without building formally February motions. members refused the opposition to Aba but the location. encouraged 3rd of evidently to been the overwhelming in these majority on of meeting, interference of due had evidence convened had off, an chair, confidence agreed members lights heated. clear because any the by no the and was the alternative the The Video of the to and in majority convened an trustees trustees, table all called of switched at dismiss members to carried http://youtu.be/y77ihYwv9U. was due new present 2007 meeting motion been strong at point, of and the 2013 initially decision. and a concluded. the wishes was significant refused had this or of was 35 was a Kebede. close further the At members been deliberately election a mediation one to youtube of February of by Kebede dispersed, from officers Kebede proposed presence, on Girma the of 10th Kebede having 2013 present. discussion for Aba on disapproval was warning their police Girma defiance form meeting of Girma purported In meeting a Girma chairman In those available Aba business Local any as further Motions is of February Aba then meeting the Kebede chairmanship Aba its without members’ of 10th his disorder. arrange unwillingness Eventually, replaced 2013. present. members, to submitted. Kebede any The disperse. of majority Girma meeting were Before forestall general On Church. 57. 58. a in of be on 17th and five This their 2006 spot. were Dawit Abate clergy should on the available notice the originally the members clearly also. the resigned tabled Tessema, Rev. (Rev of police Meeting on also of can Administrative 44 The meeting giving is the was and have Battersea attend coordinating alongside given trustees the out to to and General trustees Zelealem Parish Article Kebede and was the that members meeting Mr serve sent Kebede Gobena Church, the disorder. 2007 School of to by of under believed Girma youths been disorder, 5 were the Saints advised Girma Abate meeting Aba February the been of serious had Extraordinary All Sunday chaired Worku) the location Aba violent Rev. at 10th an replace had (members the 36 two of in who was messages in behind more attending and the third to call Abebe left place who a of to text notice l at which youth trustees and avoid took This clip Davit trustees officers and standing scuffling elected and the confidence 2013 new to initial 2007 Girma Rev. 5 clip resolved 2007 video which 2012. was no police in actions. from A emails and 2013, were and of Aba and this The EGM on, is in there February stopped trustees. ousted EGM. http://youtu.be/y77ihYwgv9U. the members be 17th Byelaws, Later called. accordingly time at February the seen disruptive motion passed, At Council) appointed Gobena new September (that The 59. 60. at at of no the the and and was sent from They were 2007 which of Girma March church several the services Chairman church been called 10th any Aba agreement the been against available police service members the protest of when the had an in is church premises. were the had the membership suspended following left The at that Sunday its who mass 2013 after recognise a or police only who again their was next presence protested incident down to and between church The the declared March and this February. left, church demonstrated stand the 3rd of held congregation also members refused members of had 17th precipitated the continued Tessema, members be Church suspending trustees. the The violence, They to should church on the they the This to 37 Sunday 300 footage clergy at 2007 Kebede and the members that entering EGM. Kebede the Zelealem two order. against insisted of than passed meeting church. Video the of Girma from Mr the following occurred announced by further Girma the for scuffling they February more Aba of 15 the maintain attend. motion and actions them Aba of protesting made members with made EGM, to 24th to after by whom disorder the Worku), when place on also pm the been church held Abebe decisions membership of hundred took against attended Further 2013 notices treatment prohibiting l were confidence disrupted required http://youtu.be/46NNzBlT6nu. 6:30 had the 61. to be be the the had had and holy having not was not Kebede Sunday building Kebede, worship possible meeting who from members members, everyone. to discernible outside The the from building all could funerals to That could Girma no church Girma able Bisrat) out. weddings, the and that meet dead physically exclusion Aba of was The Aba outside rites EGM. hundred denied to as of being the by prevented carried of meant the Tabot, was Berhanu for There It be close at driven baptisms, Prayers safety”. relatives, the several were actions condition closed as liturgical (Rev. not of benefit trust. and be the the For were prayers Eucharist was They months. halls; of to the prayers. could 9 disabled clergy Crucial re-elected The of from from They 38 rite. presence “health the and their order Church than breach example, rented of been of in members. the arising closed. the Tabot. himself For in in air make deprived more hardship. had elderty signal the the was Tewahedo to confirmations Members a 2013 for reasons to member open closure were to who the and a and with was place. its for required to the School by children, involved and March performed. conducted closed as in access for disassociated church Closed Tabot took led sided closure be 12th the the never remain reason ostensibly proper On of according trustees Church openly the and including building properly to offered were Children’s communion to Building 62. Church of of of or to on for the the the the the The 12th two froze other funds one one by of for for the and attempts been using for failure also the placed submit supporters was that held or I provided disclosure has made the to and his was police note was ss.1245 for I Council or was been instituting 2014 responsible mediation frozen, of local title provide in for unsuccessful attended. Kebede be ever to the of offered supporters restriction being Kebede that to duly accounts. a has it external charity his Girma from to been appointment provisions charity Administrative Girma number other 2013 the Commission and Aba An a showing ever prior the of account the arrange appearing of into Aba 39 Parish of received to No to has March of 2013, Charity first paid Service. representatives Kebede the in affairs Registry those account of the the advice and of the March subject by the Land Members account. Glrma in with into explanation the Mediation solicitors, Members’ HM 2011. administration from refusal given bank members Aba representative by No at point 3 our Act afterwards trustees of and Commission, and 2013. No taken enquiries made entry charity reasons some accordance March refusal mediation. In holding attended. Charity Wandsworth Charities was them. Through the surviving received At the funds s.46 control the failure 64. 65. 66. as of by of to to his his and and The Aba 103, so 2013 Kebede used leading and do access during recipients 2013 page to Church Archibishop Match all 8 injunction been 5th premises, Girma activities. The at performance membership the further an Kebede tab early had the to Aba my April for at in prohibited to two requested church is church residence. Church. On further Girma which sent London. access me the any the any in when Enthos guest to members, in twenty of Aba were suspending regulator. suspension proceedings its his to barring visited vicarage based sent indefinite. to was as the letters Tabot, and time be of obstructed 40 members office information wrote Archbishop letter statutory former to in this closed involvement Kebede School, as threatening terms the the other account identical all now invited office before The charity. and and solicitors registered in acting Girma and declared bank church all-important Sunday was occupy above, the the Members the Aba site never the to of was comprehensively years the of of myself, of records 7 supporters had Church that Kebede’s his Children’s Commission Church objects Congregation. the freezing mentioned fifteen financial the Enthos and apparently As previous By the therefore supporters the Exclusion As to including stating the the suspension Girma members 67. 68. 69. Arbitrary a of of the the the the the that 111. that 2006 have of was to — to of no-one to financial demands currently members therefore note the 104 freezing I who committed, hallmark d’etre longstanding terms grounds contributions of may a 2015 the make account certain members, pages of the very favourable acquisition raison 14th 9 objects. their of of 2013 maintain on Art.47 can been, contributions members bank in arbitrary the the tab unless non-compliant had rights of must to has and January members, but at members the charitable bye-product church Kebede example have financial as a trust years provided: premises legitimate the membership always as the for membership members claim Many the will of imposition their Girma of it. 41 to to many and registered and from website that (see church congregation the Aba their of is, into fostered over regime terms of It the Tsion access new and undertakings actual attempt church giving the excluded maintained paying advancement of and the actively may the exclusion Debre maintain by Kebede of activities faithfully not entering of the account. Without of and to financial breach being the Conversely, suspensions and Mary accepted have them to Girma be bank themselves wrongful St stop may charity. membership were regular These flagrant Byelaws). the The prior wishing contributions Church. find they accepted, exclusion Aba contributed church the • 70. to to his his the the April 1992 must 2013 fresh these made of On further and and flew trustees in 14th the April was attempt resolutions, to on elected given. to 215t made these instead Kebede members Kebede elections The is on was made Claimants up-to-date. It 10. finally the that Girma Girma later convened Kebede the Members paid appointment and Commission. meetings 2007. Aba as Aba was Clause the are week Kebede in by a justification Girma Members Deed amendments or Charity 2013. under These named the Aba 136. mediation place Girma 1992 the the exhorted members to April are 42 cancelled to that reason of Deed appointed took the Aba and subscriptions 112 21st again further No attend. was to who A 1992 mediation. on those from notified This pages meeting Meeting May. not Meeting financial the the meetings 10 this were 15th to for did dispute. 2013. replace tab their Trustees”) the Commission at on reminder thereafter General amendments at General of to the a May that was 2013 are and Trustees it new Charity arranged 16th further further Deed carries ensure minutes 2013 amendments supporters A and (“the A proceedings. trustees 2013 mediate The The Ethiopia. supporters for day 71. 72. 73. 74. in in St its up on not civil The that with thus police Debre the around and bishops bishops Diocese did open of Members arrived that Tsion Archbishop to the Mary serious the the Schism. well-founded. of of Ababa which perceived St. congregtions agreement that was Ababa. of the announcement numbers Debre Kebede Ethiopia When or part were Kebede, disturbances Addis the ETOC be clearly there of Addis feared over this. of from Large Mary church fears to Girma of supervision by Girma was St congregation the other weeks It Aba synod control, heralded of Those consultation in Aba of of dispute bishops control members any control. it. pastoral buildings. of the within enraged their henceforth two the the of 43 charge the direct over bishops without to was were beginning Church themselves. maintain the 2013 addressed assert take dispute under denounced assistance to because the to to the made control representative May Tsion church authority linked they a under Ethiopian try the it was 2’ by take including to order Europe the Schism internal the needed marked bishops around Tsion Debre to — with in on premises of bring 2012 directly the The This ETOC meetings were seek Mary Debre and intended May arrival church church into St Northwest During London Meantime, London. acknowledge appointees of attempted, would they disturbance officers Mary Tsion the the Enthos. 26th became of The announcement links 75. Dispute 76. I a as on of for the any had am and and I been never Debre made Ababa regime. have divisive. attitude as that plain charity. make and action time have far were and involvement Patriarch TPLF consisted to Addis in Mary’s the to authority was So announcement little whose Commission St charity the the the the dispute. accepted this and his cost to efforts of the the was within this of All the constituted appears of authority never contentious with Commission with making There no criticising what account Commission. had above. validly congregation was by sustained unfolded at had to my sympathetic escalating appointment appointee contact the was and Charity that that actions. release Charity engagement an by disproportionate limit so its concerned the is or openly 44 to Kebede the referred Enthos’ to Europe previous frustration by events press congregation is by try and deliberately no announcement heavily and the accepted involved, the Enthos Girma The interest Considerable Abune at taken shall in members the had was which I Commission Paulos, activity it. the Aba been anger with Northwest and had Commission of in of 2006 Abune of other actions everyone months. Kebede gain Charity Abune regulator lack never 15th to Members, the to Enthos the sense Statement Charity congregation. the decision, hardened members. many Girma all of the the this studied Patriarch such the Archbishop participated Abune archdiocese had Tsion similarly January obvious In Aba of by money, very statutory and certain a aware, Involvement 77. repeated references to the various leaflets and its published guidance on various topics. These we read and were strongly advised to comply with. We tried our hardest to do so but without success in finding any form of resolution to the problems of the charity: mediation is a good example, which foundered on the unwillingness ofAba Girma Kebede to engage at all. 78. Matters only changed late in 2013 after the church had been closed and the charity bank account had been frozen for 7 months. The Commission, we later learned, had opened a regulatory case. On 13th November 2013 the Commission wrote (tab 11 pages 137 — 140) that it appeared to them that the 2007 trustees (including those who had retired in 2012) were still validly in office and had full authority to deal with all matters. As explained above at length in connection with the issue of terms of office and quorum, this analysis did not accord with that of myself or the Members. This was pointed out to the Charity Commission who by letter of 19th December 2013 (tab 12 pages 141 to 151) accepted that the 2007 trustees should stand aside and that fresh elections should be held. The Commission produced an Action Plan under s.15(2) of the Charities Act 2011 which set out certain prescribed steps that it required should be taken to restore governance and the proper functioning of the charity. Step 1 involved the opening of communications between the 2007 trustees and the Members by 31St December 2013. We instructed our solicitors to write to the 45 I of to On the the the 31st as the s.46 been round terms 2014. further of on Charity further Charity by a Charity far members from power the the have the the s.46 So proposals the second June s.115 trustees, Commission, the a it. not no having event the 4th implemented. under with 2007 suggesting under stipulated solicitors inquiry. represented. identifying by may the close on began lacked however, made investigated the appointed, and in for never s.46 our to they made because a them inquiry by they and This have and period by meeting been on who were a criteria that enquiry, open was members Deed may elections the decided had to Commission Plan inaction statutory the placed trustees. view application received, this our received a of 1992 the solicitors May 46 an the of attended proposing was 2007 Action the our decision outside to trustees was proposed therefore 12th opened of we opened the months the the meeting the reply on position, and asked 2007 to behalf in formed letter in for requirements 2014, solicitors No terms that Having led response a year, the only the then on had several the in to vote the had acting but the to Commission 2014. with and appointed, after January envisaged which meeting. Trustees’ in kind, which 2007 eligible table steps 21st Commission, solicitors any Later, Charity March Commission understand considered under Commission comply validly and Later Commission Subsequent inquiry, 79. 80. at to the the was with with in There added Ababa it begun. church doubts remain preside trustees that link not be Christmas to to the the Archbishop indicated the that to the I long-running high resources Addis but of attend. 2007 of so and to on, the the invited the Church invited Western which police was correspondence of view wish majority the cementing (the being risk School, announced moved Given in hence proceedings Administrator. not terms shut. of for Kebede as had This relevant did the sufficient (and Enthos in charity Sunday of significant the asked means trustees Christmas appointment Girma a a for remained Kebede of ground December. particularly 156 lack for by disorder. as - Europe the 47 members 2007 a Aba the of 22 Girma 152 church on permission Archbishop was Church many violent Church presence of statement on Commander 2013, opposed The of gave members, pages the ofAba the events very this Northwest remaining there was risk 13 lawfulness of Police the unruly order. of 2011 open The said tab This of attend the Act to November the aggravation service, December) at authority He to obvious public meantime the diocese the 29th beginning an Commission. 25th the exhibit Charities I In interests attaching the and the On Enthos Patriarch). Members. intended the of dispute, extreme over Metropolitan was closed. ensure 81, 82. for to the my on the The the kind 100 been ETOC 2007 Glrma Enthos not waited meeting several and into intended the over members and year. I over Members the or Aba other of introduction 500, of of them by also approved unexplained. the Abune filed by re-opened lOam. that MPs the in previously vote of “new” is Kebede preside their of were been until seen be around not any to disorder finally and presence engaged cause to earlier Girma hundreds them not persuaded for had Members, were There members’ the membership Aba for been grounds violent police were members had Church the many who Byelaws to group numbering services entourage had that to The paid huge the and and were officers. These his church and a strangers between espoused preparation who fears 48 triggering in the with they was admitted They individuals with 150 had St.Mary’s gates of members, service. Support trustees, contact guards enter meetings how our Save fear over There inflammatory Tsion, renewed which the These to Commissioner. arrived church the was for so 2007 the for accordance while membership of 2013. the security Debre in the Police church, was Congregation. London although Ababa. Enthos sparked there Community the marred Church in permitted — and the the building This service, way locked leaders and private had Mary’s the not of Addis December “pack” St this this membership in to part and Kebede churches of outside Church police At were enter which service. fellow Archbishop dozen police trustees Metropolitan 29th Thereafter, $4. $3. or to He for the the over their make abuse of would on church Kebede to General majority elements members a down. inimical the sermons, arrangement believers vast is our presided unsatisfactory Girma exercise included, the opposed supporters stand the grosser behaviour, foundered inside Aba convene most his those to sharing church the hear a prevent that to have myself peaceful and rowdy of frequently him rootedly the from Enthos, worship and so interim They accept history purport to wish to an Kebede its apart within services concerned, members, violence, sacraments, Abune clergy hundreds is sincere failed. at and indeed entourage. the agree Girma church 49 Quite the Kebede divide from Many have his under or many 2014. in did impossible physical his Church Aba Sundays is The dispute He and as of receive see Girma the it coming on the to building to of worship worship. February Aba engaging such negotiate of called. Enthos wishes. of the use or circumstances. to developed. 17th be prayers building rite to and the members, on content has supporters. Christian membership dispute, the impossible as these with praying might it name-calling, our of attempts far Archbishop the the their relation Meeting use position For by under that So of interests and unified from Tewahedo agree or find unwillingness in All of appears 85. 86. 87. to of to as the but the first, have were left Eighth at persons and weathers The to charitable I donations, registered and Tabot, Statement they They website responsible, are purposes all compelled length the in be the Holy trustees. be at which unclear. whose Second to Witness religion, and objects. is Registry. the by are liturgical The air to its this should enabled holding defendants Commission their key Land claims in outlined as get of means members to open they he the as have HM can Kebede. the Charity at forward the for eleventh appointment defendants that in church to they the referred welfare Statement s their Girma as 50 access sacraments the on wrong carried of week although ninth property is sacraments, is church. commitment Aba near by it It basic thirteenth person Witness and is The spiritual listed the as 2013, own and validity sufficient church that of this week statement. and and most or those in were trust, the the June their this the church, trustees. are of service believe and of the Defendant of proper from the twelfth pastoral unacceptable. together names of 2007 outside is described First ministration the meet deprived whose huddle This work voluntary Claimants outside beginning without the Defendants The as whose trustees appointed been fourth, titleholders Defendants 87. 28. 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