Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following the consequences of conflicts and war that have been experienced in the horn of Africa for nearly two years, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) has asked all Ethiopians to be responsible for healing each other’s wounds for the betterment of the Church and the country. Members of Ethiopia Bishops Conference
In a statement shared with AMECEA online after the bishops’ 52ndplenary assembly held at Modjo Consolata Fathers Pastoral Centre, the prelates who deliberated on the country’s situation and the Church’s response, reminded the people of good will to seek for the grace of hope which the world is thirsting for to “revives faith and rekindles charity,” in the nation noting that “it is our responsibility as Ethiopians to heal the wounds of one another.”
“War always brings devastation, loss of life, loss of property, breaking up of communities, displacement and other related human crisis,” the Church leaders said in their statement adding that this is what has happened in Ethiopia that has led to “emotional, social and economic crisis” in the society.
According to the Conference, “many people have lost their lives, many are displaced, many have lost their property, many are imprisoned, many girls and women are raped,” hence the “social harmony that has existed between people has been seriously affected,” making citizens live in fear and uncertainty.
The bishops have further reiterated the Catholic Church commitment to responding to humanitarian crisis in the country and plan to further raise approximately US$2 million (Eth. Birr 100,000,000) in collaboration with other Church partners, local Church institutions and Catholic faithful to support many people in crisis and in the “effort of rehabilitation of the country.”
In their statement addressed to all the Catholic clergy, Religious men and women, the lay faithful and people of good will, the bishops asked for promotion of peace through dialogue in their country.
“As Christians, as Catholics, each and every one of us should be able to stand up and declare unreservedly and unconditionally, like the Psalmist, ‘I am for peace’. The way of peace reconciles conflicts and regenerates the beauty of fraternity, which heals all wounds,” reads part of the message as the bishops add, “A culture of dialogue should be encouraged within the society and the Church will play her role in an eventual inclusive national dialogue in Ethiopia.”