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| H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus |
His Eminence Berhaneyesus Cardinal Souraphiel has received a Grand Reception in Addis Ababa following her installation as the new Cardinal in Rome.
The celebrations began on February 21, 2015 upon his arrival at the Addis Ababa, Bole international airport where all the Bishops of the Conference including the Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia Archbishop Luigi Bianco and representatives of various religious leaders welcomed him at the VIP Red Salon.
State Minister of the Ministry of Federal Affairs H.E. Mr. Mulugeta Wuletaw, who was at the airport to receive the New Cardinal, said that the Cardinalate has great relevance for Ethiopia. “The elevation of H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M to the Cardinalate is very significant for the positive image building of our country. Our government recognizes this and we call on upon him and the Catholic Church in Ethiopia to continue with our positive collaboration” he said.
The Catholic faithful, priests, nuns, Geez Choir and youth choir were chanting and singing joyously waiting for him just outside the VIP Salon expressing their gratitude to God and to the Holy Father Pope Francis for the honor given to the Catholic Church in Ethiopia. Other faithful who turned up in big number were also waiting for the Cardinal near the Catholic Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The streets were filled up with people, eagerly waiting to greet the new Cardinal. The new Cardinal was accompanied to the Cathedral by all the Bishops, the Apostolic Nuncio, representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Protestant Churches and Secretary General of the Ethiopian Interreligious Council, clergy, religious and many faithful and invited guests.
The message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference was read by Rt. Rev. Bishop Tesfassilassie Medhin, of the Eparchy of Adigrat. Through the message all the Bishops expressed their readiness to collaborate with the Cardinal for the better ministry of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and Her service to the people of God.
The celebration continued on the following day Sunday February 22, 2015 with a thanksgiving Mass and a luncheon buffet. Among the concelebrants were all the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia, Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia Most Rev Luigi Bianco, Vice Chairman of AMECEA, Most Rev. Thomas Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre, Malawi and Vice-Chancellor of Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA,) Msgr. Pius Rutechura.
The Holy Mass was also attended by Former FDRE President H.E. Dr. Girma Weldeghiorgis, State Minister of Industry H. E. Mr. Tadesse Haile, and African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma among others.
During the occasion the former President asked Cardinal to play his influence to bring closer the sisterly countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea so that brothers and sisters begin to reunite and to normalize relations for the good of the people of two countries.
The AU Commission Chairperson Dr. Zuma on her part stated that the elevation of Cardinal Berhaneyesus creates more opportunities to the continent. “He will be our direct link to the Holy See,” she said. Dr. Zuma also called on His Eminence to work on creating more opportunities for women in Africa so they can play part in improving the economy of the continent. She also expressed the AU-C’s desire to strengthen collaboration with the Church in many sectors such as conflict management, Justice and peace building.
The luncheon ceremony was attended by the FDRE Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom who expressed his appreciation to the Catholic Church’s role in the integral development of human person throughout the continent.
H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M on his part expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and love given to him by the government and all the peoples of Ethiopia. He said that the Catholic Church will continue her efforts in bringing about development and peace in the Continent. He also said that as Chairman of AMECEA and a Cardinal he will work devotedly to achieving integral human development in the Continent.
By Makeda Yohannes, Social Communications and Public Relations Officer, Ethiopian Bishops Conference