Hawassa, 11 September, 2025 / 9:57 PM
Bishop Merhakirstos Gobezayehu Getachew Yilma of Ethiopia’s Vicariate Apostolic of Awasa has expressed his closeness with the people of God in Ethiopia who are celebrating their New Year 2018, pledging to pray for them from Rome where he said he would be meeting Pope Leo XIV.
In his goodwill message seen by ACI Africa, Bishop Yilma expresses his enthusiasm about meeting the Holy Father “for the first time”.
“Tomorrow, September 11th (Meskerem 1), I will have the profound honor of meeting our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, in person for the very first time in my life,” Bishop Yilma said in the letter that was shared with ACI Africa on Thursday, September 11.
He described his anticipated meeting with Pope Leo XIV as “no coincidence”, adding, “It is the divine plan of God. I pray with him for our country, the Catholic Church in Ethiopia, our diocese, and the future of my ministry.”
“I will remember all of us in my prayers, especially our priests, religious brothers and sisters, and all individuals of good will who supported us and accompanied us in work of charity to the poor,” the Catholic Bishop said, and added, “From Rome, where I will be blessed to meet the Holy Father, I send you my blessings and ask for his divine blessing upon you and your intentions.”
The Vicar Apostolic of Hawassa encouraged the people of God in Ethiopia to embrace their new year as “a year of hope and renewal.”
“Reflecting on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the many blessings bestowed upon us,” he said, and added, “Our Vicariate has been greatly enriched by the unwavering dedication of our wonderful missionaries. In one way or another, we are all fruits of their labor, and we thank them sincerely for their unparalleled commitment. Their work and dedication remains a source of our inspiration in our ministry!”
He expressed gratitude to the people under his Pastoral care, noting that the Vicariate had grown stronger, and was in a better position than last year.
Underlining the need for the Vicariate to be more self-reliant, Bishop Yilma said, “We trust that the God of abundance is always with us, and we believe that our sustainability flows from our trust in the Lord.”
He noted that leading the vast Catholic community within the country presents challenges, but also the Vicariate the opportunity to deepen the local Church’s resilience and independence.
“As leading team of the new year and being at the start of this new year, I wish for our Vicariate to blossom with self-confidence and sustainability,” he said, adding that such a goal would also be achieved through transparency, accountability, and “a willingness to embrace systems that uphold responsibility at every level.”
“Let us work together with faith, hope, and determination,” the Ethiopian Church leader said, and added, “May this new year bring transformation to our Vicariate, healing for the sick, hope for the despairing, and peace for our country and our church. May all your resolutions be fulfilled through the mercy and grace of God.”
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