OAKLAND — Abune Melketsedek, a former archbishop in Ethiopia who came to Oakland almost three decades ago and became a minister at the Mekane Selam Medhanealem Cathedral, has died. He was 97.
Melketsedek once served in Emperor Haile Selassie’s cabinet and was imprisoned for eight years when Ethiopia was racked with political turmoil.
In 1959, Melketsedek joined the cabinet of Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974, as the director of religious affairs, overseeing the ministry of churches and reviewing candidates for bishop and church administrator roles.
He was among those rounded up and imprisoned when communist forces known as the Derg overthrew Selassie in September 1974.
Melketsedek spent his time incarcerated praying, reflecting and writing.
It was “seemingly prison, but God was shielding me,” he later recounted. His fellow inmates would remember him as “our father of consolation,” according to a church account.
While in custody Melketsedek refused to cut his hair, which in Orthodox monasticism is a sign that someone has consecrated their life to God.
Melketsedek came to Oakland about 28 years ago to perform a baptism, said Sam Tadesse, the vice-chair of an East Bay foundation named in the archbishop’s honor.
“At that time there were not many people from Ethiopia living here,” Tadesse said. “But he felt a connection with the community and he decided to stay.”
About 20,000 people from Ethiopia now live in the Bay Area, according to the Oakland-based Ethiopian Community and Cultural Center of the Bay Area, which was established in 2001.
Many live in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood, where they have opened shops and restaurants, including the Asmara Restaurant and Cafe Eritrea D’Afrique, both on Telegraph Avenue.
Melketsedek ministered at the Mekane Selam Medhanealem Cathedral at 4100 Mountain Blvd. in the Oakland hills, Tadesse said. It has about 600 members.
An online memorial service is set for Saturday.
Melketsedek, who was born in the province of Gondar in Ethiopia, died Nov. 6. The church announced his death four days later.
Among those who honored Melketsedek over the years with proclamations were Congresswoman Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, state Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
“He was a very strong voice for our history,” Tadesse said. “He was also a very strong voice for human rights. And he was outspoken for our community.”
