Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Addis Ababa (Agenzia Fides)- “The food crisis is ever more serious and we have to rely on aid from other countries” Bishop Musie Ghebreghiorghis of the diocese of Emdeber in Ethiopia, told a delegation of ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ from France visiting Ethiopia to view the humanitarian situation provoked by prolonged drought.
Emdeber diocese, situated on high plateau land south west of the capital Addis Ababa, was created in 2003, and Mgr Musie, a member of the Capuchin Order, was appointed the first Bishop. Bishop Musie says although Catholics are only 0.7% of the population 90% of social works in the area are run by Catholics and this is an irreplaceable service to the people who are very poor and suffer from repeated and prolonged periods of drought. The Church’s social work consists of healthcare and education primarily but also works for development such as building wells and water systems to make better use of the little water available.
Bishop Musie is fully committed to improving pastoral care for his community of 24,000 faithful. He intends to enlarge and improve existing church centres and build new ones. For example in St Mark’s parish in the district of Ghaha in the Guraghe area, where many people are joining the Church there are plans to build another church.
The Bishop is assisted by 11 priests, each of which cares for 4 parishes. This year 3 local priests will start studies abroad and 8 young men are preparing for the priesthood. Bishop Musie gives great importance to the work and hence the formation of catechists and plans to build a multifunctional church hall for catechesis for children and adults and the formation of lay persons to work with the priests. “We cannot send our catechists to train at Addis Ababa, because they would have to leave their families alone for too long” the Bishop says explaining why he wants the diocese to have its own centre for the formation of lay people.
The Bishop of Emdeber says the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is anxious to reach complete unity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. “We wish to promote dialogue and peaceful co-existence, also with the local Muslim community” said Bishop Musie, underlining the role of the Church to promote national reconciliation.
The country has a population of 75 million: 50% to 55% Ethiopian Orthodox Church; 45% Islam, the latter mainly in east and south east Ethiopia. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2006 righe 36 parole 429)
