Addis Ababa, 21 December, 2024 / 9:27 pm (ACI Africa).
As the Catholic Church in Ethiopia begins her Advent Season 2024, members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) are calling on the people of God in the Horn of Africa nation to seek inspiration from the “King of Peace” and work towards peaceful coexistence.
In their collective message dated December 19, CBCE members say, “As we enter this holy season of Advent, preparing ourselves and getting ready to welcome our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts, we greet you with great joy and anticipation.”
“Advent reminds us God’s infinite love, hope and his promise for the everlasting peace to all human beings brought by the birth of Jesus Christ to a world often overshowed by conflict, suffering, and despair,” they add in their Advent 2024 message addressed to “All Catholic Clergy, Religious men and women, Laity and youth and all people of good will”.
They lament about the security situation in sections of the Horn of Africa nation, saying, “The lack of peace, in some areas of our country, has also impacted our pastoral ministries. Many of our parishes are inaccessible, and some have been forced to close.”
“Our institutions, including clinics, schools, and pastoral centers, have been devastated, and church personnel have had to work in situations of insecurity, and some had to leave due to threats and insecurity,” Ethiopia’s Catholic Bishops further lament.
