Page 168 - Then Came the Glory

Then Came the Glory
war and gave the Apostolic church a wide open door with the true gospel, in spite of fragile peace.
Considering the Oromo tribe heathen and idolaters, the arrogant Amhara used proverbs like The sins of the
Oromos cannot be cleansed with cold water, or even with hot water. The churches among the Oromo produced no priests or spiritual leaders, so the arrival of an Oromo who is also a Reverend expounding the Word of God in the Oromo
language brought consternation.
The older religions immediately mobilized to fight
Brother Berhanu. An Orthodox priest incited the people with violent words, "Stand for your religion to the shedding of
blood."
This incited his fanatical members to bum or break
down the homes of their Apostolics neighbors, confiscate their property, and beat them. Since no one died, they felt
totally shocked when officials sent soldiers to give them a taste of what they dished out. The soldiers beat them with
rods and the butt of their rifles, and arrested them which astounded the people. Never before had priests been arrested and called to give account of their wrong doing.
Town dwelling Amhara business men who enjoyed
being the majority agitated people in the town against the Oromo Administration, but Ae Oromo lived in the country
side. The state fearing war called the leaders of our church and the Orthodox leaders to a meeting at their office. We sent our delegates. Reverend Degu and Reverend Amare. The Orthodox, prepared for bloodshed, refused to come and invited us and the Administration to their church. Knowing their intrigues and pride, and annoyed by the lack of
cooperation, the officials made a resolution thanking our delegates and our church for good attitudes and said, "From
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