VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI receives Bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea on ad limina visit: “Your people have experienced famine, oppression and warfare. Help them to discover in the Eucharist the central act of transformation that alone can truly renew the world”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Monday 17 October Pope Benedict XVI received the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia and of Eritrea on their ad limina visit to the See of Peter not in his library as usual but at the Pontifical Ethiopian College, situated in the Vatican gardens in the shadow of the dome St Peter’s basilica, marking this year the 75th anniversary of the college building. “It is particularly appropriate that this meeting should take place here in the Pontifical Ethiopian College, as you celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the opening of the present building. The location of the College here inside Vatican City is an eloquent sign of the close bonds of communion linking the Church in your countries with the See of Rome” the Pope said in his address.
The Holy Father went on to recall “ancient and venerable tradition of Christian witness” of which Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians are heirs, and their strong ties with the See of Peter forged by European missionaries and said “I rejoice to see that today, Catholics in your territories continue to proclaim with one voice the apostolic faith that has been handed down, "so that the world may believe" (Jn 17:21). Indeed, the united witness that you give, transcending all political and ethnic divisions, has a vital role to play in bringing healing and reconciliation to the troubled region in which you live...in particular to express solidarity in whatever way you can with your suffering brothers and sisters in Somalia, where political instability makes it almost impossible to live with the dignity that belongs properly to every human person. As authentic teachers of the faith, help your people to understand that there can be no peace without justice and no justice without forgiveness”.
The Pope underlined the importance of ecumenical dialogue in these two countries where Catholics are a small minority: “Whatever obstacles you may encounter, do not be deterred from carrying forward this vital task” he said, stressing the importance of good theological formation in order to make progress in this field and therefore the urgent need to have a Catholic university in Ethiopia. “Practical ecumenism in the form of joint humanitarian endeavours will also serve to deepen the bonds of communion as you reach out with Christ-like compassion towards the sick, the hungry, refugees, displaced persons and victims of war” the Pope told the Bishops.
Youth pastoral is another important task since in Ethiopia and Eritrea young people under 25 constitute half the populations said the Pope, adding: “young people need to be helped to discover that friendship with Christ offers them everything they are seeking ... Encourage them to set out on the adventure of discipleship, and help them to recognise and respond generously if God is calling them to serve him in the priesthood and the religious life”. Pope Benedict XVI then paid tribute to “generations of missionaries, including some of you present”, and said that at same time he prayed “that the seeds which have been planted will continue to bear fruit in a rich harvest of indigenous vocations”.
Lastly, recalling that their visit takes place as the Year of the Eucharist comes to a close, the Pope urged the Bishops to deepen their personal devotion to this great mystery: “Your people have experienced famine, oppression and warfare. Help them to discover in the Eucharist the central act of transformation that alone can truly renew the world, changing violence into love, slavery into freedom, death into life.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2005; righe 37, parole 525)