 |
| Group Photo of HE Leonardo Cardinal Sandri (holding flowers) with Some of Ethiopian Bishops |
The Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Oriental Churches His Eminence Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, made a pastoral visit to the Catholic Church of Ethiopia, a visit that started on December 5, 2014.
Cardinal Sandri was greeted by His Grace Archbishop Berhaneyesus, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia and Chairman of AMECEA and all the Bishops of Ethiopia at the Nativity Catholic Cathedral.
Cardinal Sandri said he was particularly pleased with the parade and warm welcome from the Scout members of the Nativity Catholic Cathedral School.
At the closing ceremony of the Golden Jubilee symposium, the Amharic translation of ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ was launched and Cardinal Sandri presented it to all the delegates of the Eparchies, Vicariates and Pastoral Agents of Evangelization who participated in the symposium.
He said “I will present a copy of this book to the Holy Father; it will be a great joy for him to know that you are not only speaking about ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ but also have translated it into your local language for all the people.”
 |
| Cardinal Sandri and Archbishop of Addis Ababa Most Rev. Berhaneyesus with members of scout |
“As Christians we must always be courageous and joyful in our lives because we live in communion of the joy of the Gospel," he said adding that "If we have joy, faith and communion then we can live an eternal life.”
On Saturday December 6, 2014 Cardinal Sandri led the Congregation in the Eucharistic Celebrations at the Nativity Cathedral, that was also attended by all the Bishops and the Parish Priests in Addis Ababa.
In his Homily Cardinal Sandri said “I am pleased to be celebrating Mass today in the Ethiopian Rite. As prophesied by David that ‘Ethiopia will stretch her hands to God’ I can see that you are stretching your hands to pray with your brothers from the Latin Rite. But we must make sure we don’t always stretch out our hands to ask but also to praise and thank God for all the Divine gifts we receive.”
Cardinal Sandri gave the blessings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis and presented His Grace Berhaneyesus with a medal prepared on the occasion of the Synod on the Family. He called on all the faithful to pray for the family throughout the world.
SOURCE: Makeda Yohannes, ECS Communications and Public Relations Officer