ETHIOPIA: “We Ought to be Instruments of Peace, Promoting Dialogue and Reconciliation,” Cardinal Berhanayesus’ New Year Message
CBCE’s President His Eminence Berhanayesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphiel
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
On the eve of Ethiopia’s New Year on Friday, September 10, the President of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) called on the faithful to embrace peace, encourage dialogue and be channels for reconciliation.
“As we all know, peace is a fruit to love. God loves peace but hates enmity. Those who love God look a lot like God, we therefore need to be an instrument for peace, promote dialogues and reconciliations” CBCE’s President His Eminence Berhanayesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphiel said in a statement shared with AMECEA online adding that, “We all need to take part in the change processes of the darkness into a light and we need to know that all are called to respect the gift of life and value brotherhood.”
Cardinal Souraphiel appeals for peace following the conflict between regional State led by the political party of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), that has led to destruction of property in the country, with several households displaced while many Ethiopian refugees have crossed borders to seek for refuge due to humanitarian and security crisis.
In his message, the Archbishop of Addis Ababa, acknowledged that the country has been experiencing wars at various times and members of CBCE “feel the pains and injuries of the people and their families,” and frequently encourages all parties for dialogues and peace as they insist on the option of reconciliation.
“The Church keeps on praying so that the entire nation can be an instrument for peace,” the message read in parts and His Eminence continues, “We appreciate all who work for peace and reconciliation in the country or abroad. We also pray for those who stimulate animosities so that the almighty God gives them a new heart, a loving one.”
According to the Ethiopia Calendar it is the year of St. Mark, 2014 and the Cardinal asks all the faithful to strengthen their faith and clearly see the will of God in problematic times saying, “Let us all walk in light so that we could build a loving world for the coming generation.”
He further asked for continued prayers and support to the internally displaced people which can be offered either in kind or in cash as the country celebrates the New Year.
