By Sabur Fidel
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The Golden Jubilee (fiftieth anniversary) of the Eritrean Catholic KidaneMehret Cathedral Church of Asmara was celebrated with a Eucharist service on 24 February 2020.
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The Golden Jubilee (fiftieth anniversary) of the Eritrean Catholic KidaneMehret Cathedral Church of Asmara was celebrated with a Eucharist service on 24 February 2020. The celebration was held simultaneously with the annual feast of Our Lady of the Covenant of Mercy (KidaneMehret) which falls on 16 February of the Eritrean calendar. The mass of both occasions was joined by several bishops and many priests from the country and abroad.
His Holiness Pope Francis sent his congratulatory messages to the Arch-eparchy of Asmara including His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel who is President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE), suffragan Bishops of the eparchies of Eritrea and other Church officials locally and internationally.
In his cordial message, Pope Francis greeted Most Rev. Menghesteab Tesfamariam the Archbishop of Asmara, the priests, Religious men and women and the lay faithful of the Arch-eparchy, and encouraged those in Consecrated Life to renew their commitment to be “like living stones built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, and to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5).
Preceded by a time of spiritual renewal and revival, the Golden Jubilee celebration was highlighted by a joyous day of feasting and Eucharistic celebration on the actual day.
During the homily, Archbishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam underlined that the entire congregation was gathered there to thank the Almighty God and Blessed Virgin Mary for the abundant blessings upon the church and the society for the last 50 years.
“Let us rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment for what He bestows us,” said Most Rev. Tesfamariam.
He also urged the Christians to live in harmony without discrimination, saying “All Catholics are one in Christ through one baptism and one faith.”
When giving an explanation on the renovation of the church building, he advised the faithful to also renew their hearts and faith during this time of celebrating the Golden Jubilee.
The KidaneMehret Church, was built by Italians in the late 1960s. It stands at a place where once there was a small traditionally structured church. Documents indicate that the Church was built in 1969 by an Italian company of Olindo Elmi during the Ethiopian annexation of Eritrea, and that it was designed by the Mario Mazzetti.
