ETHIOPIA: Diocesan Directors and Pastoral Coordinators Meet to Discuss Future Directions
Learning and experience sharing of officials of National Catholic Secretariat, Diocesan Catholic Secretariats which includes pastoral coordinators and development office directors is taking place in Hawassa on December 19 – 21, 2019 following the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia.
During the meeting, the secretariats shall make a follow up on the implementation of the decisions and directions given by the last assembly of Bishops which was held in Meki from December 9-13, 2018.
The event began with Holy mass presided by His Excellency Abune Roberto Bergamaschi, Apostolic Vicar of Hawassa. Following the Holy Mass H.E Abune Roberto opened the meeting with his welcoming remarks which focused on the nature of the Church and Her evangelization mission.
“The Church should not be identical to the other development agents but serve rather with the spirit of Christ. Her primary mission is evangelization,” said the Bishop.
He emphasized that whatever we do, it is for the spreading of the kingdom of God and for the salvation of the people.
“When people see the Church and her service they should be grateful to God not to our institutions or individuals. We are people called to witness the love of God and share it with others,” he explained.
The meeting focuses on restructuring of the Catholic Church institutions for better evangelization work and financial accountability and transparency for self sustainability.
Discussions and visits to Catholic institutions in the Vicariate to learn best experiences will be part of the meeting.
This learning alliance happens twice a year to discuss issues of importance to the Church.
By Makeda Yohannes
