ETHIOPIA: Catholic Church Expresses Commitment to Peace Building
Ethiopian Minister for Peace accompanied by other State officials pose for a photo with a Cardinal Berhaneyesus together with Bishop Lisane-Christos Matheos of Bahir Dar - Dessie Diocese, and a section of Staff from ECS
The Ethiopian Catholic Church reaffirmed commitment to collaborate with the newly established Ministry of Peace in Ethiopia. His Eminence. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, CM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa stated this when he received Her Excellency Mrs. Muferiat Kamil, Minister of Peace at the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat (ECS) on November 13, 2018.
The Peace Minister during her visit to the Catholic Church was accompanied by H.E. Mrs. Almaz Mekonnen, State Minister for Peace building, H.E. Mr. Kefyalew Tefera, State Minister for Capacity Building and Modernization and other high officials of the Ministry.
On the occasion, His Eminence congratulated the newly appointed Minister of Peace and expressed his believe that the dedicated collaboration of the Ministry office with all stakeholders such as religious leaders and their institutions will be crucial to the peace building process and bringing sustainable peace in the country.
Catholic Secretariat the Ethiopian Minister for Peace
H.E. Mrs. Muferiat Kamil and other State Officials
The structure of the Catholic Church and the efforts of the Church to integral human development through education, health and other social services was also explained to the officials. It was stated that the Catholic Church as it is part of Her mission has been dedicated to establish Justice and Peace Commission to serve the truth, to serve peace and Justice. The Ethiopian Catholic Church in collaboration with Her partners has been engaged in peace building activities, resolving conflicts, supporting internally displaced people in the last 3 years of political crisis and continues to enhance Her efforts.
The Minister of Peace, H.E. Mrs Muferiat for her part said that collaboration with religious leaders and their institutions is very important for her Ministry Office in its effort to bring about sustainable peace through building ethical and peace loving generation. She explained that the purpose of the visit is part of their effort to ask religious leaders to firmly continue their support in the peace building and national reconciliation process and also ask for their blessings as the new Ministry office begins its duty.
“We are very pleased with our visit to the Catholic Church; we have realized more of the reliable partner we have at hand for peace building. We hope that we can work closely with you in addressing some of the challenges our nation is facing and assure you of our collaboration. We appreciate that you have welcomed us to your Secretariat so warmly,” said the Peace Minister.
The officials from the Peace Ministry further added that they know from experience the contribution and achievements of the Catholic Church in terms of producing morally strong citizens for the country through the Catholic schools and expressed their hope that the Church will enhance this success. They further assured the Catholic Church their collaboration in terms of addressing some of the challenges the Church faces in Her peace building efforts.
H.Em. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M., was joined by H.E. Bishop Lisanu Christos Matheos, Eparch of Bahirdar-Dessie, Rev. Fr. Teshome Fikre, ECS Deputy Secretary General, Partners of the Catholic Church, Religious Congregations, Laity Council and heads of Catholic institutions as well as ECS management in welcoming the officials.
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By Makeda Yohannes, Communications Coordinator Ethiopia Catholic Secretariat
