 |
| H.E. Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel, Chairman of AMECEA and Metropolitant Archbishop of Addis Ababa Ethiopia |
The Chairman of AMECEA and Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, H.E. Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel has called upon the Catholic Faithful in Ethiopia to practice the acts of charity during the 15-day Fasting period ahead of the Feast of Assumption.
According to the Ethiopian Liturgical Calendar the 15 days Fasting Period this year is being observed from August 7th to 21st, 2015 before the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary and is an important time for the spiritual renewal of the faithful throughout the nation.
In his message to the faithful for the occasion of the fast days Cardinal Berhaneyesus said, “Charity and giving love to the needy and the vulnerable should be our religious responsibility, this fasting period is a good time to practice charity and make it part of our life.”
“Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary was the first to visit her Cousin St. Elizabeth in her house to offer her support when she heard the news of St. Elizabeth’s conception, she also understood the need of the host at Cana wedding and interceded to her Son on their behalf, she is our model of Charity and kindness to others and we must follow her footsteps,” he added.
Cardinal Berhaneyesus also asked all Christians to love one another and also love and respect followers of other religions. “This is a time for all Christians to renew and strengthen their spirituality by loving one another and also striving for peace and mutual existence with brothers and sisters of other religions,” He said.
He also called on the youth in Ethiopia to stand united against illegal migration and human trafficking. “Let this be a time we decide to engage ourselves in various sectors of work in our own country. I ask the youth to participate on the ongoing development efforts of Ethiopia and earn to change your life and also contribute to the integral growth of your country,” he said.
He recommended the faithful to pray for the rain, as it is the main rainy season in Ethiopia, that the Lord may send rain wherever it is needed for sowing crops.
Finally he wished all the faithful a blessed season of preparation for the solemnity of Our Lady of the Assumption.
Source: Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Officer