AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Cardinal-designate Souraphiel: "I will work for the Church so that it obtains the observer status in the African Union"

Addis Ababa (Agenzia Fides) – To work so that the Catholic Church obtains the observer status in the African Union. This is one of first commitments expressed by Cardinal-designate His Exc. Mgr. Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
The Cardinal-designate in an interview with CANAA Agency stated that he intends to work on this goal with the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
"I think the universal Catholic Church can give its contribution to the African Union through the knowledge of her social doctrine. Given that the African Union has its headquarters in Addis Ababa, I hope, as a Cardinal of the Church, to be able to offer help in this aspect with members of AMECEA and SECAM. We pray that both SECAM and AMECEA can obtain the observer status in the African Union", he said, who described Africa as a continent "with a great future and great responsibility, not only towards Africans but towards the whole world". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 09/01/2015)