Ambellu v. Re'ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewhado Religion Church

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ALEMEWORK AMBELLU et al., Plaintiffs, v. Case No. 1:18-cv-02177 (TNM) RE’ESE ADBARAT DEBRE SELAM KIDIST MARIAM, THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWHADO RELIGION CHURCH et al., Defendants. MEMORANDUM OPINION For years, two rival factions have fought bitterly for control over the Re’ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Tewhado Church. After starting in the local courts, this fight has now been brought here by dozens of former parishioners (the “Parishioners”). They claim that a group of current members and priests conspired to…