ETHIOPIA: Bishops in Ethiopia Consult on 10 Year Strategic Plan in Alignment to Synod on Synodality
Bezawit Assefa
Ethiopia Bishops Conference has from 12th to 16th December held a first-of-its-kind consultation forum to help prepare a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan for the Ethiopian Catholic Church, at St. Francis Friary in Addis Ababa, where all dioceses and church bodies participated.
Based on the consultation process of the Synod on Synodality, the Ethiopian Catholic Church is under preparation of a 10-year strategic plan which has brought together the Catholic bishops, Provincials, Representatives from Religious Congregations, National Office, Diocesan office, Seminarians, laity, family and youth, partner organizations, Church sustainability program directors, Church Media representatives among other stakeholders.
His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus who started off the assembly by addressing all the Catholic Bishops who were present and those who could not come to the assembly due to many reasons mentioned that the Synodal Way is an opportunity for the Ethiopian Church to work together on the emerging pastoral, social and administrative needs.
The consultation forum continued with group and joint discussions between four major group, that is the Pastoral Group, Social Development group, Operational group and Education and Health Group. Each group heard the report from consultants regarding the SWOT analysis in the specific sector, and received input from theologians in specific selected themes. After one and a half day sessions the groups were able to reach consensus on the setting up priorities and discovering the gaps of the Church in that area.
In the last two-day sessions, the groups presented their draft documents to the full plenary and collected comments and suggestions. At the end the consultation ended by summing up the activities that the church should perform for the next 10 years in pastoral, social, administrative, educational and health sectors.
Rev. Abba Gedey Seyoum who was present on behalf of the Bishop of Adigrat Diocese His Eminence Abune Tesfasilassie, expressed his joy at his presence and conveyed the message of solidarity and call to prayer to the entire Adigrat diocese, stating that the Diocese of Adigrat will also walk together in this Church plan.
And at the conclusion of the meeting, His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus entrusted the participants with “treating our shortcomings well and eliminating the spirit of division so that we can travel together”.
The national steering committee which has received comments from all the participants, reminded everyone to take ownership and personal responsibility in the future.
