AMECEA: Expresses Joy Following Release of Eritrean Bishop and Priest
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Church in the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region has expressed gratitude to God for the release from custody of Bishop Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim of Eritrea’s Segheneity Eparchy and Rev. Fr. Mehreteab Stefanos which took place Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
In his message addressed to President of the Council of Catholic Hierarchy of Eritrea who is the Archbishop of Asmara Most Rev. Menghesteab Tesfamariam, the AMECEA Chairman Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde said in reference to the Acts of the Apostles, “We give glory to God who has given you this opportunity to become bold witnesses of Christ and beacons of hope to the voiceless in the same way as Saints Peter and John did.”
“Their release is indeed an answer to the prayer of the Church in the entire region which is journeying with the Eritrean Church during these difficult times,” The AMECEA Chairman said in the statement signed Tuesday, January 3.
The two were arrested in the month of October 2022 together with another priest, Abbot Abraham, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin who seem not to have been released yet.
On behalf of the prelates in the region, the Chairman of AMECEA bemoans the fact that the Church in Eritrea “has to suffer this martyrdom in this age.”
He noted that the bishops, clergy and consecrated persons are zealous to serve the disadvantaged people of God in the country so that they too (the disadvantaged) “may realize their right to quality education, health services and freedom of expression.”
As AMECEA Chairman, he promises continued prayers and support from the region as he assures people them that “until the Eritreans are truly free, the Church in the entire AMECEA region is in custody too for we are all journeying together on this way of the Cross.”
