A Catholic Delegation in Ethiopia Asks the African Union Commission to Invite the Holy Father

CANAA || By Makeda Yohannes, Addis Ababa || 24 August 2015

A high Catholic Church delegation led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel together with other Church leaders, met with the African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr. Dlamini Nkozasana Zuma, to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relationships.

On the occasion, Cardinal Souraphiel suggested that it would be a great opportunity for the African Union to invite the Holy Father to speak during its next plenary scheduled for January 2016.

Among the topic discussed during the meeting is the 19^th AMECEA Plenary to be hosted in Ethiopia in 2018.

“High Catholic Church representatives from Eastern Africa and also other parts of the world will be participating in the AMECEA Plenary,” the Chairperson of the Preparatory committee Ambassador Dr. Berhane Gebray briefed Dr. Zuma on the accomplishments so far and what it would mean for the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and the nation as a whole to host the meeting.

He also made some suggestions as to how AUC could collaborate with the Catholic Church in the preparations of hosting the Holy Father as well as the AMECEA plenary assembly.

On her part, Dr. Zuma considered it an honor to invite the Holy Father Pope Francis saying, “it is a task that we must work on together with the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and the Government of Ethiopia.”

She also expressed AUC’s desire to engage in the plenary and its preparation promising the establishment of a task force to assess AUC’s assistance to the plenary.

The Catholic community working in the AUC meets in a Chapel within the premises of the Commission for prayer programs regularly.

The appointment of a permanent chaplain for the community was also agreed upon during the meeting.

The Catholic Church also took the opportunity to brief the AUC about the contribution of the Church in the development efforts of Ethiopia.

This was the first official meeting Cardinal Souraphiel has held with the African Union Commission since he was elevated to the Cardinalate on 14 February 2015.