Ethiopian Bishops’ Conference closes Golden Jubilee with colourful celebrations

The Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) has closed with colorful celebrations this week. 

The highlight of the ceremony was the Thanks Giving Mass held at St. Gabriel’s Parish as the day also coincided with the annual feast of Archangel Gabriel in the Ethiopian Liturgical Calendar. In his the homily, Cardinal Berhaneyesus said that the occasion of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of CBCE has  given the Bishops opportunity to reflect  on their past achievements and plan for better success in the future. “We have had time to evaluate all the achievements and the gaps of the last 50 years, I think this has created for us the opportunity to draw a clear picture on how we can build on our achievements and also improve the gaps witnessed so far,” he recommended.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus also recalled the importance of a prayer prepared on the occasion of the CBCE Golden Jubilee and thanked all the faithful for reciting the prayer throughout the year. “All the Bishops need your prayers, so I ask you to continue praying for us so that we may be able to continue our ministry in the service of the Church,” he asked.

Dr. Girma Woldeghiorgis, former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, asked the Bishops of Ethiopia to work hard towards reconciliation between the sisterly countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

In memory of the occasion the Bishops of the Ethiopian Catholic Church and invited Bishops and guests planted trees at the Entoto Natural Park in Addis Ababa.  Speaking at the event, Cardinal Berhaneyesus, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, President of the CBCE and AMECEA Chairman said the Church supports the green economy which Ethiopia is striving to implement and called on all citizens to care for the environment. “We must not only plant trees on special occasions but we must be sure to take care of them and follow up on their well-being as well,” he said.

Religious leaders from different religions in Ethiopia also congratulated the CBCE for all their achievements during the past 50 years. A book on the 50 years journey of the CBCE and a Compendium of the Pastoral Letters of the CBCE prepared for the occasion were also launched.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee CBCE also wrote a pastoral letter on family.

(Makeda Yohannes, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE))