Advertisement

Pope Francis Accepts Retirement of Emdeber Catholic Bishop in Ethiopia, Appoints Successor

Bishop Musiè Ghebreghiorghis (right0 and Bishop Lukas Teshome Fikre Woldetensae (left). Credit: EMCS/ Emdibir Catholic secretariat
Silas Isenjia

By Silas Isenjia

Emdeber, 23 August, 2024 / 8:46 pm (ACI Africa).

Pope Francis has accepted the retirement of Bishop Musiè Ghebreghiorghis from the pastoral care of the Eparchy of Emdeber in Ethiopia and appointed Bishop Lukas Teshome Fikre Woldetensae as his successor.

The appointment of Bishop Fikre, who has been serving as the Coadjutor Bishop of the same Eparchy, was made public on Friday, August 23.

Bishop Musiè has been overseeing the Eparchy of Emdeber since his Episcopal Ordination in February 2004. The member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.) was the pioneer Bishop of the Eparchy that was erected in November 2003.

Bishop Fikre, who succeeds Bishop Musiè, was born on 10 January 1966 in the Eparchy of Emdeber. He was ordained a Priest in January 1998 after completing his Priestly studies and Religious formation in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa.

The Ethiopian Catholic Church leader was consecrated in April 2011 following his appointment in January 2011. 

Advertisement

Once installed, Bishop Fikre will be the second Local Ordinary of the Eparchy that measures 12,000 square kilometers with a population of 27,070 Catholics, representing 0.6 percent of the total population, according to 2021 statistics.

In May this year, Bishop Fikre weighed in on the issue of insecurity in the Horn of Africa nation calling on Religious Leaders to be “free from ethnic sectarianism” by playing a neutral role in the country that is experiencing conflicts in the northern region.

In an interview with a local Television Station, the Bishop also highlighted the effects of the protracted socio-political crisis in the country.

“We were once considered a people of faith and humility, but today this is being challenged by the daily and ongoing conflicts and wars that continue to result in a state of general insecurity and extreme poverty,” Bishop Fikre said in the May 8 interview in which he lamented, “Blood is flowing everywhere.”

He went on to appeal to “Religious institutions and the government” to take the responsibility of leading “young people on the right path of development and not into war.”

More in Africa

Ghana

“Engage responsibly in the electoral process”: Catholics in Ghana Told ahead of December 7 Polls

Read the article

Bishop Fikre emphasized the need for faith-based leaders to be nonpartisan if they want to credibly contribute to peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa country.

He said, “By remaining neutral, free from ethnic sectarianism and political influence, religious leaders can play an important role as mediators and in building a culture of peace and reconciliation.”

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

Trending