UNESCO-Endorsed Syncretism Masquerading as Christian Worship in Ethiopia and Eritrea
The “Vatican News” portal (January 23, 2026) reports on Timkat celebrations in Ethiopia and Eritrea, describing processions where “priests lead their churches” carrying “the Tabot—replicas of the Tablets of the Law” wrapped in cloth, with worshippers immersing themselves in blessed water to “renew their baptism.” The article celebrates UNESCO’s 2019 designation of Timkat as Intangible Cultural Heritage, presenting it as evidence of “an age-old Christian tradition that is still very much alive.” This portrayal constitutes a dangerous normalization of syncretic practices incompatible with Catholic orthodoxy.