The regional episcopal conference of AMECEA is congratulating its new cardinal-designate, Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
AMECEA, or the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, is a Catholic service organization for the National Episcopal Conferences of the eight countries of Eastern Africa, namely Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Djibouti and Somalia are affiliate members.
In a message sent to him by the Secretary General of AMECEA, Fr Ferdinand Lugonzo, the conference stated, “Upon your elevation to this privileged position in the Catholic Church, we at AMECEA Secretariat congratulate you and promise you our prayers. Indeed, your elevation to the rank of Cardinalate is recognition of the distinguished service you have rendered to the Universal Church, to the Church in Africa, in a particular way to the Church in AMECEA Region and in Ethiopia.”
Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel is 66, having been born in 1948 in Tchela Claka. In 1976 he was ordained a priest for the Congregation of the Mission. He was made apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa in 1997, being named archbishop in 1999.
In an emailmessage, the Cardinal-designate said, “I feel humbled by what our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has done: elevating me to become a Cardinal of our Holy Mother Church. I do not feel worthy to serve the Universal Church on that level. However, with the Grace of God, I shall try to serve the Church with all my heart, mind, and prayers. After all, the true Shepherd of the Church is Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are only his unworthy servants trying to do His Will.
“Pray for me as I take this great pastoral responsibility.”
