EPISCOPAL UNITY: A MODEL AND HOPE FOR ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 11, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message for Peace from the Episcopal Conference of Ethiopia and Eritrea, in which the Catholic bishops appeal for reconciliation and peace between the two nations. The Message, dated April 29 and written in English, was signed by 11 prelates and is addressed to "the clergy, religious, laity and all people of good will."

An accompanying note recalls the late April meeting of the episcopal conference in the Pontifical Ethiopian College in the Vatican, as well as their individual and group encounters with Pope John Paul on April 27, when he gave them a Message of his own. The note, stating that this was the first conference meeting in a year due to the outbreak of military hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea, also explained that the bishops met "to talk of matters of common interest, as well as to show the unity of the episcopacy as an example and hope for the two nations."

The bishops write of the "tragic consequences of the refusal of God's gift of peace," including "families broken up because of forced displacement, ... children and civilian people killed by shellings and bombings", and the deportation or detention of citizens.

"The sufferings and pains brought about by violent conflicts show that the path of war is neither wise nor useful for our countries, but only a source of sorrow and destruction."

"How do we break the vicious cycle of violence?" they ask. "How do we heal the wounds? ... A culture of peace and human rights needs to replace a culture of death and violence. This is the answer to be pursued."

"Peace is not merely the absence of war and is not limited to maintaining the balance of power between adversaries," write the bishops. "Peace is 'tranquillity of order'. Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity."

They note that "the two countries have accepted the Framework of Peace proposal prepared by the Organization of African Unity as a starting point for negotiations," and add: "The gift of peace, however, is from above and our heavenly Father will grant it to His children asking for it."

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