Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hosanna (Agenzia Fides) - A delegation from the Ethiopian episcopate visited internally displaced people in the Eparchy of Bahir Dar-Dessie, one of the 13 ecclesiastical jurisdictions under the local Catholic Church.
According to the letter sent to Agenzia Fides, the bishops' objective was to offer their solidarity, encouragement and support to people affected by the recurring conflicts in the area of Metekel, Chagni Woreda and the area surrounding the Eparchy.
"The Church will continue to support and help people affected by the conflict and will collaborate with the Eparchy for the rehabilitation of the displaced", said the Bishop of Eminentiana, Msgr. Franso Syioum, addressing those present. Government officials, for their part, thanked the Catholic Church for her support, past and present, and urged her to continue to support and respond to the current crisis.
During the visit there were meetings with the Clergy, the Consecrated and the faithful who live in Bahir Dar, Metekel, Chagni and Gilgel Beles who presented their personal experiences and the challenges caused by the conflicts. Also present were representatives of the Government Administration and other operators from the Metekel area.
The delegation, led by His Exc. Bishop Lisane-Christos Matheos Semahun, Apostolic Vicar of Hosanna, was composed of the Apostolic Nuncio, His Exc. Bishop Antoine Camilleri, Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Ethiopia, Fr. Teshome Fikre, representatives of the General Secretariat of the same Conference of Bishops, of the Conference of Major Superiors and of the National Council of Laity of the Catholic Church of Ethiopia
Mgr. Lisanuchristos, bishop of the Eparchy of Bahir Dar-Dessie, and his Vicar General, Fr. Sintayehu Gelaw welcomed and accompanied the delegation during the its entire visit to the Eparchy. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 22/3/2021)
