SYNOD-SECAM: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as Venue for Continental Synod Assembly, Reminds Christians of the “Land of Origin”

Sr. Henriette Anne

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) has reminded delegates meeting in Addis Ababa, for the continental synod assembly that Ethiopia is the “Land of Origin,” hence the appropriate venue for the African meeting.

Identifying Addis Ababa as the capital city of Africa because it’s the city where headquarter of African Union (AU) is based, Berhaneyesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphiel said Ethiopia is a country with three different religious dimensions making it practice the synodal way of life since its birth.

“It is our immense joy to have you all here in this country, a country of synodality. As you are well aware Ethiopia is a country where Judaism was introduced during the reign of King Solomon, Christianity was introduced during the Apostolic Age, and it is a country who received Muslim refugees during the time of Prophet Mohammed,” the Cardinal said while addressing over 200 delegates and continued, “The three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have lived harmoniously and peacefully together for centuries.”

“The Church in Ethiopia has lived a synodal way since its birth within herself and with other religious denominations,” The Archbishop of Addis Ababa said and appreciated the leadership of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) for choosing Addis Ababa to host the Continental Assembly.

In his welcoming speech on Tuesday March 2, the member of the Congregation of the Mission (CM) highlighted that the church in Africa is vibrant and growing and it needs to be a voice for the voiceless.

He said that “In our parishes, dioceses, and on the national level, through the process of synodal consultation we have heard the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of our Catholic Communities journeying together to build the Church of today. The voices are telling us that the church should be a church of synodality, walking together in communion and participation, not leaving anyone behind, and making effective and life-changing evangelization work for today’s world”.

He added that the church in Africa is vibrant and growing therefore it needs to be a voice for the voiceless giving priority to Africa.

“The Church in Africa is a vibrant and growing Church. It needs to be a voice to the voiceless and her pastoral priorities are African priorities which reflect the African values of family, values of communities, human dignity, protection of nature, and self-reliance”.

“In our parishes, dioceses, and on the national level, through the process of synodal consultation we have heard the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of our Catholic Communities journeying together to build the Church of today. The voices are telling us that the church should be a church of synodality, walking together in communion and participation, not leaving anyone behind, and making effective and life-changing evangelization work for today’s world”.

He assured all the delegates of a safe stay in Ethiopia, “the Church and the people and the government of Ethiopia will make sure that your stay in Addis is pleasant and comfortable”.

The Pope’s representative in Ethiopia Archbishop Antoine Camilleri also echoed cardinal Souraphiel’s message that Ethiopia is land of origin saying, “Allow me to join His Eminence Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Cardinal Archbishop of Addis Ababa, in welcoming you to this unique “land of origins” that is Ethiopia, a country and nation of Biblical fame, whose identity Christianity has helped to shape and define since the earliest centuries of the common era.”

“The choice of Addis Ababa as the venue for this gathering is indeed due recognition of the unparalleled relevance that this fast-growing and fast-developing capital city has secured for itself on a continental level,” the Nuncio said.

Pointing out the challenges that have affected African Church, Antoine Camilleri called upon the delegates to have the courage and humility to put aside self-interest and seek what constitutes the good of us.

“For the Church in Ethiopia, as well as in other African countries, recent events that have dominated our political and social reality have proven to be important challenges, as well as opportunities, to live and operate concretely in a spirit of synodality. For synodality translates into solidarity, support, healing, reconciliation, and overcoming hurdles to continue the journey together in peace and harmony. It, therefore, requires of us the courage and humility to put aside the cacophony of our self-justifications and self-interests and seek what constitutes the good of all, even at the cost of having to request and receive forgiveness from our neighbor”.

The Nuncio reminded delegates that the week-long meeting should not be about “delivering rhetorical speeches or seeing only problems around us or trying to rein in the voices that we consider dissonant with the mainstream or majority narrative.”

He said, “Let us not forget that the theme for the continental phase of the Synod is the injunction proclaimed in the book of the prophet Isaiah: “Enlarge the space of your tent” which means “open wide.”

Therefore “there is much more room within the Church than we may choose to believe, and there are no undesirables that are destined for exclusion,” he concluded.