ETHIOPIA: Church of Ethiopia Hosts “Night to Shine” Event for People with Special Needs
By Bezawit Assefa
The Ethiopian Catholic Church National youth office in collaboration with Archdiocese of Addis Ababa and Eparchy of Emdibir has hosted the “Night to Shine” event in February and March 2024. The Event took place in Archdiocese of Addis Ababa at the Nativity Catholic Cathedral Parish opened by Holy Mass. led by His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus the Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of CBCE. The Holy Mass was followed by an Exhibition by different disability association, stage performance and circus show by the Childrens of Mother Teresa and crowning ceremony.
The event was titled, ‘Impossibility is Not Inability,’ highlighted how removing barriers and providing support empowers people with disabilities to achieve anything. During the Holy Mass, His Eminence Cardinal reminded the congregation that since ancient times, many have played an important role as messengers of the Almighty God without being hindered by various physical disabilities. Saints which include Isaacs’ blindness, Jacobs’ disability, Moses speechless, Samson the Great since his childhood, his hands and feet were tied, and then he was blinded.
The Cardinal has called on everyone to strive to build an inclusive society especially, people who are at different levels of responsibility in the Church should do as John the Baptist taught us, “incarnated that everyone may see God’s salvation” (Luke 3:6). Our Social and medical institutions to fill the capacity from organizing, all the mountains and hills to be lowered by making places of worship convenient for all, the crooked and upright. In addition, the words we use to describe disability as a way by correcting phrases and thoughts, the rough way should be corrected.
Rev. Fr. Petros, Pastoral Coordinator of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Addis Ababa, has highlighted in his speech that “The Ethiopian Catholic Church has a clear stand that goes hand in hand with the Universal Catholic Church. The pastoral care for persons with disabilities is indispensable and it should be an integral part of the ministry of the Church.”
The second Night to Shine event in Bahirdar was begun by Holy mass in the Cathedral presided by Abune Lisanu-Christos Mathewos the Bishop of Eparchy of Bahirdar-Dessie. Then majority of the participants were from different denominations, members of the regional and the cities disability and special need groups have attended the program, also children with special needs who receive care from local established care center attended the program with the support of their care givers and volunteers. The second phase of the program in bahirdar was organized in the school compound within the Kidanemihret Catholic Cathedral, where stage performances, speeches, awareness raising dramas were included in the program and in the end, participants shared meal together and the Bishop, religious men and women crowned the guests and distributed the special gift for the guests of honours.
Night to Shine is a complimentary event centered on God’s love for people with special needs and disabilities hosted by local churches to support and welcome them. Its vision is to support Churches to not only host an unforgettable celebration experience, but create and maintain a thriving life-long ministry to their community of people with special needs and disability.
The program is supported by Tim Tebow Foundation.
