ETHIOPIA: “Family can remain strong by praying together,”- Cardinal Berhaneyesus

The Archbishop of Addis Ababa, H.E. Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel has
called on the faithful of Ethiopia to remain strong in faith and prayer despite
of the challenges of life they are facing as they prepare for the New Year
celebrations on September 12.

 

In his 2008 New Year’s blessing and message (According to the Ethiopian calendar, the year 2007 is ending and 2008
is about to begin) Cardinal Berhaneyesus, who is also chairman of AMECEA said
that remaining strong in faith in the family does not mean that there are no
problems in marriages. “Couples go through many challenges in their married
lives; thus we must pray for Christian families who are facing problems that
the Lord may bless them and have Mercy on them,” he said.

 

“When a year ends and a new one begins we must always remember
that we live in God’s gift of Mercy; when we live in the world that He has
created for us and a new year He has given us, we must grow more spiritually
and need to live as His faithful children,” he said.

 

He called on the faithful to pray for all Catholic families. He
said that the universal Church is currently preparing for the upcoming Synod on
Family and the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is praying for all families in
preparation for the Synod.

 

“The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Teachings of the
Catholic Church remain the same always. Our Church gives special attention to
families as family is a foundation of a society and of the Church. A marriage
is between a man and a woman (Mt. 19: 4-6). It is a sacrament and as such in a
Catholic marriage, there is no divorce,” he said.

 

He also stressed the importance of peace for the development and
prosperity of a nation. “Co-existing peacefully with all neighboring countries
is a benefit for all of us. Thus I ask that we continue our efforts of peace
building and pray that Jesus Christ, the King of Peace, may bless us and our
neighbouring countries with His peace,” he said.

 

Finally, he advised that it is important for all people to make
proper use of the time given by God “In our family and professional life we
must fulfill our responsibility devotedly and with thoughtfulness. It is
important to be happy with the time God has given us, and to put Him first
before all our activities asking him to bless all our activities and New Year
resolutions.”