ETHIOPIA: Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Visit the Catholic Church in Ethiopia
Bezawit Assefa
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjártó, has visited the Catholic Church in Ethiopia on 18th April, 2023. On that day, His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus, the President of the Catholic Bishops conference of Ethiopia, inaugurated the youth formation and counselling centre at the Ethiopian Catholic University campus in Lebu, which was built with the support of the Hungarian government. His Excellency Peter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and several invited guests, launched the service.
His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus thanked the guests for the visit and explained the multifaceted friendship between the Hungarian government and the Ethiopian Catholic Church.
“The Hungarian government has become the voice of persecuted Christians for the protection of the rights around the world,” the Cardinal said.
On behalf of the Catholic Church His Eminence Cardinal expressed his gratitude for their efforts of the Hungarian government to support Christians in Ethiopia.
His Excellency Mr. Peter Szijjártó explained that Hungary is a historical Christian country, and explained that Christianity starts from the dignity of human personality. Continuing his speech His Excellency said, “We understand that many Christians are being attacked all over the world, so the Hungarian government is planning a special program called Hungary Helps, and we are helping prosecuted Christians in many countries.” At the end His Excellency Mr. Peter promised to continue the fellowship they started with Christians in Ethiopia two years ago and to support the in doubling the services of the youth formation and counselling centre.
Rev. Father Teshome Fikre, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, briefly explained a summary of construction progress of the centre, which started service today, from the beginning of the idea, explained what the overall process and monitoring of the construction was like.
At the end of the program, as a remembrance of the visit, His Excellency Minister along with His Eminence Cardinal Birhaneyesus planted saplings in the premises of the centre.
