CNEWA

Stories From the Field:
Joyfully Passing on the Faith in Ethiopia

We received this report and some pictures this week from our regional director in Addis Ababa, Argaw Fantu.

We received this report and some pictures this week from our regional director in Addis Ababa, Argaw Fantu:

Emdibir Eparchy was erected in 2003 with territories detached from the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. Since the early 1920s, Catholic faith in the area stayed strong, due to the few devoted lay faithful, like “Abbabba” (means father in Amharic) Antoinios, Abbabba Ruphael and Abbabba Estiphanos. Their devotion was extraordinary: they used to walk for 15 days across the country, following the French Capuchin missionaries, so they could receive the sacraments. Returning home after another 15 days’ walk, they were seen to be especially graced and full of blessings. Family members and neighbors would even welcome having these travelers spit on their faces; they saw it as a blessing, for it came from mouths that had received Holy Communion.

At that time, foreign missionaries were very few in number, unable to speak the different local languages and incapable of traveling long distances on foot, horse or mule.

But missionary zeal and a deep faith persist in Emdibir.

One person eager to pass that on to the youth is the young local priest, the Rev. Misrak Tiyu, Pastoral Coordinator of the eparchy. He designed a pastoral project entitled Strengthen Youth Ministry and Revitalize Christian Communities. In this project, he creatively planned to engage catechists, youth leaders, members of the small Christian communities and young Catholic professionals.

Though his dreams are big and resources are limited, Father Misrak didn’t hesitate to knock at the door of CNEWA for financial support in early 2016. CNEWA secured $25,600 for his work in 2017 and 2018. With this plan, a great pastoral outreach was observed in the eparchy in 2017. I had the opportunity to visit two events: a training day for catechists and a youth festival.

The three-day youth festival was very creatively organized with the theme “Vocation and Mission Day for Youth.” In the program more than 1,000 dynamic, enthusiastic and lively youth and children participated.

This event has really helped strengthen the faith of the young people, exciting them to engage actively and to focus on reviving the zeal of their great grandparents.

In a real sense, CNEWA is not only responding to immediate needs of the local church, but it also accompanying the revival of faith in the younger generation.

We want to send a big THANK YOU with prayerful remembrance to all CNEWA supporters and people of good will. May the Good Lord, who sustained faith through his passion, death and resurrection, reward all!

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