ETHIOPIA: Pastoral Agents Commit to New and Effective Evangelization
A section of the participants during the workshop
The Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat (ECS) National Pastoral Commission organized a workshop on effective methodology of evangelization in Ethiopia for pastoral agents. The ongoing formation program took place on December 5th-8th, 2018 in Shashemen, in Apostolic Vicariate of Meki in which 45 pastoral agents from Meki and Hawassa Vicariates and Robe Apostolic Prefecture participated. The workshop was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Teshome Fikre, ECS Deputy Secretary General and Pastoral Commission Director.
According to Fr. Teshome, this ongoing formation program was very interactive and gave the participants an opportunity to understand the recent Church documents on New Evangelization such as Evangelli Gaudium and Gaudite et Esulate of His Holiness Pope Francis.
“The pastoral agents are committed to put in practice what the Holy Father has put forward in view of new evangelization in the present context of Ethiopia. The pastoral agents also discussed the gaps and strengths of the Catholic Church in the country, as well as how to prioritize family and youth apostolate in this endeavour of new evangelization” said Fr. Teshome.
of evangelization in Ethiopia organized by ECS Pastoral Department
He further explained that systematic and continuous faith formation is key in new evangelization and all must be committed to contribute to the realization of effective evangelization in their respective Church structures.
The Ethiopian Catholic Church National Pastoral Commission has put it as a priority, effective methodology of evangelization in the five-years pastoral plan (2017-2021). Accordingly, ongoing formation is underway for pastoral agents in all Ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Ethiopian Catholic church in 2018/19.
Pastoral agents who are participating in this ongoing formation programs are Diocesan Pastoral coordinators, Parish priests, Religious men and women, lay leaders, catechists and youth leaders. Two or more dioceses are organized at zonal level so that the workshop could be conducted effectively. From November 28th-30th, on-going formation program was organized in Apostolic Vicariate of Hosanna, Eparchy of Emdibir, and Apostolic Vicariate of Sodo in which 45 pastoral agents participated. The ongoing formation was given by Rev. Fr. Abinet Abebe, C.M.
In the third week of December the next workshop will be conducted for the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa and Apostolic Vicariate of Harar in Mojo town at the Saints. Peter and Paul Church. Next year the Commission will continue with the remaining 5 dioceses. Fr. Teshome added that the capacity building formation programs are financed by Missio Aachen and he expressed gratitude to Missio Aachen for the long standing partner.
The Pastoral Commission also announced that during the last week of December a couples formation program which is part of a five years plan of forming Catholic Couples will be organized in Addis Ababa for 25 couples with the support of Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).
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