ETHIOPIA: Hungary State Minister pays a courtesy visit to Ethiopian Catholic Church
The State Minister of Hungary, H.E. Tristian Azbej met met His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus, CM Metropolitan Archbishop Addis Ababa and President of CBCE at the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat during his visit to Ethiopia on December 4, 2018.
On the occasion His Eminence mentioned that there are many Ethiopians who have benefited from the scholarship programs of Hungary and have come back to serve their country. He thanked the Government and people of Hungary for this opportunity as education plays a vital role for the development of the country.
H.Em. Cardinal Berhaneyesus Metropolitan Archbishop
of Addis Ababa and Chairman of Ethiopia Bishops Conference
The Cardinal stressed that one of the major challenges Ethiopia is facing these days is migration and human trafficking, and that one of the means to tackle this challenge is education. He explained that the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is working on addressing the issue of migration by creating job opportunities for the youth so that they remain in the country.
“When the youth migrate, they face threat of death either on road or on the sea, and if they make it to their destination wherever it is they risk exploitation. It is not a pretty picture. We thus desire that the youth remain in their country. We are trying to contribute to this by creating job opportunities for them in their own localities and if they still desire to migrate we give them preparation orientation so that they are aware of what to expect and how to survive,” said Cardinal Berhaneyesus.
He added that one of the challenges migrants face is that they do not know about the realities that are awaiting them once they reach their destination. This lack of knowledge makes them vulnerable to exploitation and disappointment when soon they realize that the other side is not at as green as they expected. The Cardinal said the most important way of tackling this challenge from the root is education.
On his part, Dr. Azbej said he is pleased to learn that Ethiopians who had the education opportunities in Hungary are contributing positively to the development of Ethiopia when back to their home country.
He further explained that Hungary is committed to support persecuted Christians all over the world and is pleased to work with the Catholic in Ethiopia to reach out to the people that need support. He finally invited His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus, CM, and other religious leaders to visit Hungary next year.
Rev. Fr. Teshome Fikre, ECS Pastoral Commission Director and Mr. Bekele Moges, Executive Director of Social and Development Commission introduced the Minister and other delegates to the the history of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and her social and pastoral ministries in the country.
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By Makeda Yohannes, Communications Coordinator ECS
