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| Most Rev. Berhaneyesus |
His Grace Archbishop Berhaneyesus, President of the Bishops Conference of Ethiopia, has asked the Church in the AMECEA region to be an instrument of Faith to the people of the region.
In his homily during Eucharistic celebrations which was animated by Ethiopian Conference the on 18 July 2014, Archbishop said that the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly is being held at a time the Church just canonized two Popes –Saints John XXIII and John Paul II.
Archbishop Berhaneyesus highlighted the lessons that Christians can learn from His holiness Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. “The first lesson that we can learn from them is showing mercy to others and asking the Lord for graces,” he said adding that "The first thing the Holy Father did when he was elected as the Successor of Saint Peter was asking the people to pray for him. Indeed all the congregation present at the St. Peter Square that day, and all those following the transmission prayed for him.”
The Archbishop added that people can be witnesses to the fact that the Lord heard and responded to their prayers by looking at what the Holy Father has already achieved within this short period of time of his pontificate. “If we ask the Lord for Mercy and Graces, we will see the Power of our prayer,” he said.
Another lesson learnt from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, which Archbishop Berhaneyesus highlighted was about his life. “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, after serving the Church as the successor of St. Peter, decided to resign in order to give room to someone in a better state of health to lead the Church. However, he decided to continue supporting the Church with prayer,” he said.
He said that it is an opportunity for AMECEA to reflect on how the Church in the region can grow more in doing God’s work.
By Makeda Yohannes, Social Communications and Public Relations Officer-Ethiopian Episcopal Conference