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Working for Justice and Peace in Ethiopia Coordinating the Justice and Peace Desk for the Archdiocese of Addis Abeba is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to others today. “Contemporary Ethiopia is changing fast and going through the process of socio-economic, political and cultural transformation,” says Sister Belaynesh Abera, who heads the Justice and Peace Desk for the Archdiocese of Addis Abeba. “There is a real need to educate citizens on issues related to human rights and to prepare them to vote, and to have positive political involvement on matters that affect their lives.” Sister Belaynesh’s work includes preparing and organizing seminars and workshops for religious and political leaders, teachers, parish youth leaders and laity council leaders. She explains, “Our Mission is to strengthen communities of Christians which exhibit love, justice and peace, so as to enhance the formation of a more egalitarian society.”
Within some of the Catholic schools, Sister Belaynesh has developed Peace Clubs. She has also produced a guide book to help students have Peace Club meetings. The enthusiasm and commitment of the young people is a great inspiration to her. The Archdiocese covers a huge area of the country. “In order to reach the grassroots level, it has been necessary to train representatives from each parish and form a justice and peace group in every parish,” Sister explains. “When I was offered the chance to head up the Justice and Peace Desk for the Archdiocese, I thought of the challenges of setting up an office and accepted the mission. I liked developing the vision, mission and objectives,” she adds. “I accepted the offer as a blessing to begin a new mission and saw an opportunity to dream new dreams and work towards their coming true.” March 15, 2009
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