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| Group Photo of Ethiopian Catholic Church Delegation Led By H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus and AUC Chairperson H.E. Dr. Dlamini Nkozasana Zuma in Addis Ababa |
The Catholic Church in Ethiopia has asked African Union Commission (AUC) to invite the Holy Father, Pope Francis to the next AU Plenary Assembly. His Eminence Berhaneyesus Cardinal Sourapiel, CM, made the suggestion when he led a high Catholic Church delegation to meet with AUC Chairperson H.E. Dr. Dlamini Nkozasana Zuma.
Cardinal Berhaneyesus, who is the Archbishop of Addis Ababa and chairman of AMECEA, together with the delegation met with Dr. Zuma to discuss on strengthening bilateral relationship.
The delegation included Catholic Church leaders and Chairperson for the preparatory committees for the 19th AMECEA Preparatory Assembly.
Among the topic discussed during the meeting is the 19th AMECEA Plenary to be hosted in Ethiopia in 2018.
“High Catholic Church representatives from Eastern Africa and also other parts of the world will be participating in the AMECEA Plenary,” the Chairperson of the Preparatory Committee Ambassador Dr. Berhane Gebray briefed Dr. Zuma on what the committee has so far accomplished and what it would mean for the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and the nation as a whole to host the meeting. He also made some suggestions as to how AUC could collaborate with the Catholic Church in its preparation.
On her part Dr. Zuma said that it would be an honor to invite the Pope Francis. “It is a task that we must work on together with the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and the Government of Ethiopia,” she said while at the same time expressing the AUC’s desire to engage in the Plenary and its preparation.
It was agreed that a task force will be formed to assess the AUC’s assistance to the Plenary.
The Catholic community working in the AUC meets in a Chapel within the premises of the Commission for prayer programs regularly. Appointment of a permanent chaplain for the community was also agreed upon during the meeting.
The Catholic Church also took the opportunity to brief the AUC delegates about her contribution towards the development of the country. This was the first official meeting H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus held with the African Union Commission since he was elevated to the Cardinalate.