 |
| Abba Hagos, C.M. speaking, right one of the facilitators Mr. John Katunga from CRS |
The Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat Secretary General Fr. Hagos Hayish called Diocesan Justice and Peace Coordinator and other stakeholders to be agents of peace and reconciliation and reflect more on the words on our Lord on the Gospel of Mark (4: 30 – 34).
Speaking at the validation workshop for the implementation of a 5- year strategic plan organized for Diocesan Justice and Peace Coordinators and other stakeholders, on May 11 in Addis Ababa, Fr Hagos said “Working as agents of Peace and Reconciliation in the Church, we must constantly search for courage and wisdom through the light of Christ, we need to pray and strengthen our own faith. It is only this way we can be strong enough to resist being shattered by the winds of the time in our lives. Through the wisdom God grants us we can recognize the realities of our times and serve the people accordingly. This is what distinguishes us from other social workers.”
The Secretary General also stressed on the importance of accountability saying “we need to learn how to become accountable to those at the bottom of the ladder like Our Lord Jesus Christ thought His disciples to be accountable to those least powerful.”
 |
| A section of the participants |
Fr. Hagos, C.M, also noted that people working in Peace building, Reconciliation and Justice must constantly update themselves with Church policies and civil laws in the country so that they can provide learned services to the people. He reminded that the Justice and Peace Coordinators that they are expected to influence and advise Catholic Church decision makers and asked that the Strategic Plan must consider a line of communication and advocacy with Church Hierarchy.
The participants of the workshop stressed on the importance of considering gender sensitivity, the current challenges of the youth such as moral degradation and other needs of the people that can be seen by reading the signs of the time. The validation workshop is followed by a 2 days training on Catholic Social Teachings and Peace Building to the Diocesan Justice and Peace Coordinators and ECS staff.
The workshop was organized by the ECS Justice and Peace Department and funded by Misereor.
∽End∽