The matter is very complex, but currently there are serious efforts to unite all EOTC Churches under one Patriarch.
I know there are. And a group of people claiming to be both Ethiopian Orthodox
and Rastafarians (still believing in the Emperor's Divinity - see the 'Jah' graphics at their website:
http://www.abbayesehaq.com/graphics) is really unhappy about it. Defending Mekorios and accusing Paulos, they recognize none of them as the Patriarch (just like the late Abuna Yesehaq) and simply wait for God to resolve the situation.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church holds it’s own synods and Elects it’s own Patriarch. At present . . . there is no real Patriarch lawfully appointed, we are praying that the All Highest will resolve this tragic situation and we know that the Judgment is sure.
Source:
http://www.abbayesehaq.com/nwhistory.htmIn 1992 a schism was created in the Holy Ethiopian Orthodox Church. After the collapse of the communists in Ethiopia a new government . . . sought control of the Ethiopian Church and the then legitimately appointed Patriarch of the Church, Abuna Mekorios. He became an obstacle to their desire as he was not in agreement with them. He was pressured into resignation and exile with threats of arrest and against his very life, he had to flee to Kenya and then Eventually America assisted by Abba Yesehaq. A false politically appointed puppet was installed as Patriarch, Paulos. Abuna Yesehaq and fifteen others Bishops rejected his appointment and this caused a rift that continues till this day in March 2010.
This man Paulos who has the backing of the present Ethiopian Government is a murderer: killing clergy in Gondar that opposed him; killing a Batawi who was delivering a letter of protest to him. Further, he is also supported and directed by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches of which he is the current president. Paulos is the worst Patriarch in the 2000 year History of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. [...] It seems like people have forgotten his Evil and even now are joined with this wicked false patriarch who has done precisely what Ignatious Loyola, Pero Pais, Susneyos and Mussolini could not do, take control of the Church, he has fulfilled an ardent, fervent, centuries old desire of Rome; he submitted to Pope Paul II and takes council with Benedict.
[...]
What is happening now in 2010 is that within all the churches established by Abba Yesehaq there is division, a disappointing majority of the people who Abba Yesehaq raised up, made into a people that knows their history, their roots, a fulfillment of Marcus Garvey's prophecy that we would Worship God through the Eyes of Ethiopia. People he loved and loves still, educated, ordained as priests, gave everything for have become just like Judas Iscariot betraying Abba Yesehaq. There are people wishing to bring the churches Abba Yesehaq established in the West under the canon law of Ethiopia to Roman Catholicism and the Pope represented by Paulos.
[...]
The independent council that Abba Yesehaq set up in Dallas, Texas has disbanded. They have become silent and they ignore these issues. Priests in the West who still defend The Ethiopian Orthodox Church in it's ancient non-roman form and the position of Abuna Yesehaq (and they are few and far between only two in Jamaica and a couple others in America and Canada are left) are now sidelined and maligned left to fend for themselves especially in Jamaica. Yet we will never forget what Abba Yesehaq taught us "...Vatican City is our worst enemy", Further we firmly believe this ultimate truth - Not even the Dog that pisseth against the wall shall escape the Judgment.
Source:
http://www.abbayesehaq.com/nw_activities_americaAtrocity.htmIndeed, a lot of prayer for Ethiopian Orthodoxy is needed.
