Ethiopia: Cardinal Berhaneyesus appeals to Ethiopians to overcome revenge with forgiveness.

Habtamu Abrdew Beture - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus made the remarks in his official message delivered to all public and private media ahead of the Ethiopian Easter.

Ethiopian Easter: 24 April 2022

Ethiopia, like Eastern Orthodox believers, follow the Julian calendar, not the Gregorian, secular, calendar. Therefore for Ethiopia, this year, Easter falls on Sunday, 24 April 2022.

“When Abel died, his blood cried out to God. That incident has a powerful message: The death of an innocent victim is brought to God’s notice. In particular, the blood of an innocent person is significant. Christ’s resurrection, then, is the answer to all of Abel’s cries,” said the prelate of Addis.

Overcome hatred with love

“The resurrection of Christ gives every Christian the power to overcome all evil and sin. Today, through the Cross of Christ, we can overcome hatred with love, revenge with forgiveness, sorrow with joy, conflict with dialogue, endurance with perseverance and Christian hope,” Cardinal Berhaneyesus said.

According to the Cardinal, the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops’ Conference invites the faithful to implore the King of Peace, "Our Lord, and Saviour Jesus Christ," to grant true peace to Ethiopia. They urge all people of goodwill to pray together for all persons severely suffering because of the war.

Mercy, reconciliation and peace

The Bishop entrusts all Catholics to plead for mercy, reconciliation, and peace for the beloved motherland of Ethiopia.

“May Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the God of peace, grant us peace in our land. In the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ, we implore concerned (authorities) to facilitate access so that emergency humanitarian aid can reach the people who currently need it the most. And may the resurrected Christ receive, in his kingdom, all those who have died in the war. May he also comfort those who mourn,” the Cardinal said.

(Amecea)