ETHIOPIA: Catholic Youth Council of Barentu Leads Campaign to End Harmful Practices
H.E. Bishop Thomas with Youth Council and Parish Priests of the Eparchy
Zerayohannes Ghebrehiwet
The Catholic Youth Council of the Eparchy of Barentu have conducted an awareness campaign in various parishes to promote the spirituality of the faithful and eliminate harmful practices, to encourage parents, especially mothers, to raise their awareness and fight against harmful practices such as under-age marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Eparchial Catholic Youth Council coordinator, Sr. Hagosa Abraham, from the Capuchin Sisters, said that the Youth Office of the Eparchy, in consultation with parish priests and congregations, will prepare an annual plan for the youth council and its implementation accordingly.
The awareness increasing campaign and education program took place at Presbyter’s Seat of the Holy Cross in Barentu from December 7th – 8th, 2024. The activities conducted included stage drama by parish youth, short educational briefing about “Mixed Marriage & Living United with other Faiths” by Fr. Yonas Zerasenay, and short stories regarding the negative impacts of such union.
The program was attended by faithful residents from 10 parishes which received great appreciation and encouraging feedback from the participants.
Similar activities were also conducted in the presbyteries seat of Kuluku, St. John Maria Vianney Parish church, on 14th – 15th 2024 and the bishop of the Eparchy of Barentu Rt. Rev. Thomas Osman participated in the event.
The prelate expressed extreme happiness at what he witnessed and gave his encouraging words to the youth saying, “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity” (1 Tm 4:12), “please be good examples to your parents, to your community, to your parish and particularly to the young generation who are growing in your footsteps” he said.
In Goluj, the church of St. Bakita youth also did similar awareness increasing campaigns on 21st–22nd.
