Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia Hail Peace Agreement, Urge Stakeholders to Work “diligently”

“The Church is providing this humanitarian support and will continue to strengthen it,” CBCE members say in their message dated December 22.

They remind “all institutions of goodwill to continue their usual support so that they can reach all the affected areas in our country, especially in the south and eastern parts of the country which are suffering a lot due to drought.”

“Helping the victims of the war and those whose lives have been affected is not the responsibility of an individual alone, rather it is the daily task of every citizen,” Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia add. 

The November 2 “Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities”, which was brokered by the African Union (AU) aimed to end the conflict in Tigray that started in November 2020 when TPLF allegedly launched an attack on Ethiopia’s Federal Government Army base in the region.

TPLF and people in the Tigray region were reportedly opposed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s bid to centralize power in Africa's second most populous country.

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In a joint statement issued after the deal was signed in Pretoria, TPLF and the Ethiopian government agreed to implement transitional measures that include restoring Constitutional order in Tigray, solving political differences, and a Transitional Justice Policy framework to ensure accountability, reconciliation, truth, and healing.

On November 25, the General Secretary of the CBCE said Ethiopians are eagerly waiting for the results of the peace agreement.

In their December 22 statement, Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia say they are “deeply saddened and concerned about the death of citizens in some parts of our country, displacement, the persecution and destruction of property.”

They call on the people of God in the Horn of Africa country “to resolve any dispute through peaceful means and dialogue so that the life of human beings created in God's image is not lost.”

The Catholic Church leaders also call on the Ethiopian government and the relevant stakeholders “to work together to ensure that their God given rights to work and support themselves and their families are protected by establishing a fair market system so that citizens can live in a balanced way of life in their country.”

CBCE members also “strongly” condemn the rampant theft and corruption in the country that they say “is spreading as a result of inappropriate selfish attitude which has continued to harm our people and the way government services are rendered based on bribes.”

“It is our constant prayer that our country, Ethiopia, would be built on ethics, God-fearing citizens, who are grateful for what is given to them instead of taking what is not theirs, and who can share what they have with other people,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

Reflecting on the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality, CBCE members say they have been discussing their pastoral ministries, Charity works and the current situation of the country in a spirit of the communion, participation, and mission. 

Making reference to their 10-year strategic plan, which the Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia have been working on in view of addressing the opportunities and challenges that arose from their 53rd Plenary Assembly that was held between July 20 and July 22, CBCE members say the plan is also meant to address “the concerns of Catholics from all over Ethiopia.”

“We believe that when the work is completed with the spirit of commitment and service by considering and evaluating the current situation of our church, we shall follow a new way of evangelisation with communion and participation with believers who walk in faith, the pastoral service of our church will be supported by grace and their results,” they add.

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On the Continental Phase of the Synod, Catholic Bishops in Ethiopia say the Horn of Africa nation is expected to host a meeting of Bishops in Africa from 1-6 March 2023.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.