Oriental News Update: Feb 7, 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of News from the Eastern Churches, presented in partnership with L’Œuvre d’Orient. This week’s highlights include a gathering of Francophone Catholic schools in Cairo, the extension of the EU’s observer mission in Armenia, and the appointment of a new bishop in Ethiopia.

A Meeting of Francophone Catholic Schools in Cairo

On February 6th and 7th, the 5th Colloquium of Francophone Schools in the Middle East is taking place in Cairo, organized by the Catholic charity L’Œuvre d’Orient.

Bringing together 350 Catholic education professionals, this event serves as a platform for exchanging ideas on their educational mission in the face of regional challenges. The gathering is honored by the presence of His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church, and renowned Franco-Egyptian journalist Robert Solé.

Francophone schools in the Middle East play a crucial role in providing quality education to over 400,000 students, promoting the French language and humanistic values, and offering stability and career opportunities for young people amidst regional upheavals.

Extension of EU’s Observation Mission in Armenia

The European Union has decided to prolong its civilian observation mission in Armenia until February 19, 2027.

With 165 international observers and 44 Armenian staff members, the mission, initiated in February 2023, plays a vital role in promoting peace and stability in the region. By monitoring the situation on the ground, it contributes to the safety and security of local residents, covering the Armenian-Azerbaijani border as well as the border with Turkey.

Episcopal Ordination in Ethiopia

February 2nd marked the episcopal ordination of Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa.

Presided over by Cardinal Berhaneyesus, the head of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, the ceremony took place at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and was attended by almost all the country’s Catholic bishops. Bishop Gebresilasie, former Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries since 2015, received the episcopal insignia, including the crosier, the ring, and the mitre.