 |
| H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, Chairman of AMECEA and Archbishop of Addis Ababa |
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia H.E. Berhaneyesus Cardinal Souraphiel has described Africa as “A great continent with great people and great histories.”
Speaking to Radio Vatican just recently Cardinal Berhaneyesus said, “Africa may be poor in material things but is very rich in values especially traditional values; family values; the treasure of the extended family; the value for life; respect of elders; the value of receiving the pilgrim, the stranger, the guest as an angel of God, and others.”
Cardinal Berhaneyesus said that even as Africa seeks to develop economically, it should not lose its values. “We should not be ashamed of our roots and our values and we should not copy or exchange them for cheap ones coming from elsewhere. What we need is to strengthen them. We also need to know our histories,” he said.
The new Cardinal who is also the Chairman of AMECEA said he is particularly gratified that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI validated Africa’s values when he spoke to Africa in Cotonou, Benin; as he presented the document, ‘Africae Munus’ in which he described Africa as an enormous spiritual “lung” for the world.
Cardinal Berhaneyesus, recalled the words of Pope Benedict XVI who said, “Africa; You have great values. You are rich. Try to preserve your values. Don't change your African values of unity, of helping each other, of respect for elders; of respect for their wisdom…..Don't change these because of globalization or the Internet.”
Source: Vatican Radio