Ethiopia: Catholic Church requested the Federal Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency to issue a permanent residence permit to foreign missionaries.
The Ethiopian Catholic Church presented a request to the Federal Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency to issue a permanent residence permit to foreign missionaries serving for long time in Ethiopia. The request has been presented on the occasion of bilateral discussion held at the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat on September 17, 2020.
Mr. Bekele Moges the director of the Social Development Commission of the Ethiopian Catholic Church explained the statistics and services of the foreign missionaries serving in Ethiopia. He also stated the challenges which the Church is facing regarding the work and residence permit. According to the director’s explanation currently 173 women and 256 men totally 429 foreign missionaries are serving in Ethiopia.
Fr. Teshome Fikre (Dr.) the Secretary General of the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat on his part said that “because the Catholic Church is a universal Church, the missionaries serve the humanity around the world regardless of borders and demarcations.”
In his explanation Fr. Teshome also said that “many foreign missionaries serve Ethiopian from their youth to retirement for more than 50 years. They learned all the traditions and local languages as well. They like being with Ethiopians and many of them even don’t want to think of going back to their Country even after their retirement. They always say they want to die here in Ethiopia.” therefore it would be fortunate to respect these foreigners in providing them a permanent residence permit or bestowing honorary citizenship.
The director of the Federal Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency Mr. Mujib Jemal on his part said that his office can look at the request and encouraged the Church to present details about the services and status of the missionaries to his office officially and further discussion between the agency and the Church will facilitate the favorable result.
His Eminence Berhaneyesus Cardinal D. Souraphiel Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop thanks the delegates from the Federal Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency and all the participants of the meeting.
