ETHIOPIA: Cardinal Urges Spiritual Conversion as Lent Opens in Ethiopia’s Dual Rites
By Bezawit Bogale
As the Church enters the holy season of Lent, His Eminence Cardinal Abune Berhaneyesus, CM, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, has issued a pastoral message urging Catholics and people of good will to embrace a profound interior conversion through prayer, fasting, and works of charity.
Citing the Gospel of Matthew 6:17-18, Cardinal Berhaneyesus reminded the faithful: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” He emphasized that Lent is a sacred opportunity for spiritual renewal, calling believers to detach from worldly distractions and draw closer to God.
The Ethiopian Catholic Church, which follows the Ethiopian calendar, celebrates Lent according to both its Eastern (Ge‘ez) and Latin rites. In 2026, the Eastern Church began the Lenten season on 16 February, while the Latin rite will commence on 25 February. This dual observance reflects the Church’s rich heritage, blending traditional Ge‘ez liturgy with the universal Latin liturgical practice, and underscores Ethiopia’s unique place in the global Catholic community.
The Cardinal highlighted the importance of authentic prayer, rooted not merely in words but in a life aligned with Christ’s teachings. Lent, he explained, is a time to contemplate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, fostering a deeper relationship with God the Father through the Holy Spirit. He urged prayers for neighbors, the suffering, those affected by conflict and displacement, the imprisoned, and for leaders to govern with wisdom and integrity.
Fasting Beyond Food
According to Cardinal Berhaneyesus, fasting is not limited to abstaining from food. True fasting encompasses restraint from excess, distractions, sin, harmful speech, and actions that wound others. It is expressed in patience, forgiveness, charity, and steadfast respect for human dignity. “By fasting with sincerity, our hearts become attentive to God, and in silence and reflection, we encounter Christ,” he said.
The Cardinal called Lent a time for interior transformation, a season to cultivate moral vigilance, reconcile with others, and engage in acts of mercy. Drawing on Pope Francis’ Fratelli tutti, he emphasized attentive listening and respect for the dignity of every person as essential to authentic dialogue and Christian witness in a world overwhelmed by noise, misinformation, and injustice.
A Call for Peace and Justice
Cardinal Berhaneyesus urged prayers for peace and justice in Ethiopia and throughout the world, for protection from natural and man-made disasters, and for enduring faith among the faithful during these challenging times.
Concluding his message, the Cardinal invoked the intercession of Our Lady, the angels, martyrs, and all saints, calling on believers to undertake this Lenten journey with sincere hearts, prayerful devotion, and a commitment to lives of love, reconciliation, and service.
