Cardinal in Ethiopia Calls for Prayer for Families as Country Marks New Year 2008

CANAA || By Makeda Yohannes in Ethiopia || 10 September 2015

Ethiopians are set to have celebrations to mark the conclusion of the year 2007 and usher in their New Year 2008 this Saturday, September 12.

Based on the Coptic calendar, the Ethiopian calendar was fixed to the Julian calendar in 25 BC by the Emperor Augustus of Rome with a start date of 29 August J.C., thus establishing the New Year on this day.

This date, which marks the approximate end of the "rainy season," has also been traditionally associated with the return of the Queen of Sheba to Ethiopia following her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem round about 980 BC.

On this occasion of Ethiopia’s New Year 2008, the Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel has delivered his New Year message and blessing through the Ethiopian media, calling for prayers for families in the context of upcoming Bishops’ Synod on the family.

“Our Church gives special attention to families as family is a foundation of a society and of the Church,” Cardinal Souraphiel said, adding, “A marriage is between a man and a woman (Mt. 19: 4-6). It is a sacrament and as such in a Catholic marriage, there is no divorce.”

He acknowledged the challenges families go through and encouraged a life of prayer saying “couples go through many challenges in their married lives thus we must pray for Christian families who are facing problems that the Lord may bless them and have Mercy on them.”

The Cardinal also stressed the importance of peace for the development and prosperity of a nation.

“Co-existing peacefully with all neighboring countries is a benefit for all of us. Thus I ask that we continue our efforts of peace building and pray that Jesus Christ, the King of Peace, may bless us and our neighbouring countries with His peace,” he said.

Recalling the ending of the year 2007 and the beginning of the New Year 2008 in Ethiopia, Cardinal Souraphiel said, “when a year ends and a new one begins we must always remember that we live in God’s gift of Mercy; when we live in the world that He has created for us and a new year He has given us, we must grow more spiritually and need to live as His faithful children.”

The Cardinal further called on all people to make proper use of the time given by God saying, “In our family and professional life we must fulfill our responsibility devotedly and with thoughtfulness. It is important to be happy with the time God has given us, and to put Him first before all our activities asking him to bless all our activities and New Year resolutions.”