Healing Ethiopia: Bishop Calls for Unity and Peace
In a nation torn apart by political and social strife, an Ethiopian Bishop is calling for unity and peace. Bishop Teshome Fikre Woldetensae, Coadjutor Bishop of the Eparchy of Emdeber, believes that religious leaders have a crucial role to play as mediators to heal the divisions plaguing the African nation.
Speaking on Ethiopian TV, Bishop Fikre emphasized the responsibility of both religious institutions and the government to guide the country towards development and away from conflict. He lamented the shift from a people of faith and humility to a nation rife with violence and insecurity, where blood flows freely.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Ethiopia
Ethiopia faces a complex web of crises, including ethnic conflicts, natural disasters, and health epidemics. After a two-year war in the northern regions, which concluded in November 2022, the country is grappling with the aftermath – hundreds of thousands dead, and millions displaced.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, millions in the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions are in desperate need of food aid and many more are internally displaced.
Religious Leaders as Agents of Peace
Bishop Fikre believes that religious leaders must rise above ethnic tensions and political influences to promote reconciliation and peace. By acting as neutral mediators, free from divisive factors, they can help build a culture of peace and unity in the nation.
Young people, burdened by unemployment and uncertain futures, look to religious and government institutions for guidance. Bishop Fikre urges leaders to show them the path of truth, love, and justice, instead of sending them into conflict or exploitation.
As the Secretary General of the Ethiopian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Fikre reminds his fellow bishops of their duty to lead the flock towards life and prosperity. He asserts that through prayer, goodwill, love, and justice, the fractures in Ethiopian society can begin to heal.
(Source: Fides News Agency)
Let us heed the call of Bishop Fikre and work together to bring peace and unity to Ethiopia.
