The Secretary General of Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE), Pastor Zerihun Degu has commended the contribution of the Ethiopian Catholic Church to the social development effort of the country. Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE), Pastor Degu said that the beneficiaries of Catholic Church achievements are not only Catholics but all people living in the country.
“The fact that many of the most educated people of Ethiopia are fruits of Catholic schools is just one example of the Church’s tremendous contribution to social development in the country,” he said adding “I have been closely working with the Catholic Church for the past 5 years and have witnessed firsthand her unreserved efforts to achieve integral human development in Ethiopia.”
Pastor Degu added that the joy of the celebration is even doubled as the Golden Jubilee is taking place at a time when Ethiopia is enjoying religious freedom, peace and growth. He said the youth should use the freedom they have to maintain and develop their faith and the Church.
“Golden Jubilee is not a time to celebrate only the past but to plan for more achievements in the future. The young Catholics here should build on the strong foundations that have already been laid by your fathers and work even more for peace, justice, love and social development,” he said.
Leaders of different religions in Ethiopia also attended the Thanks Giving Holy Mass and delivered congratulatory messages to the CBCE. The Ethiopian Catholic Church is a founding member of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia in which 7 religious denominations are members.
Source: Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Officer