Synodality Message of the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia

To: Our Beloved Priests, Religious Men and Women, Our Dear Catholic Faithful, Our Dear Catholics in Diaspora, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The People of God in Ethiopia, and All people of goodwill,

Peace be with you and greetings of the Season of Advent.

1. We, the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia, are writing this Synodality Message to you on the occasion of concluding our 59th Plenary Assembly held in Emdibir from 8-10th December, 2025. This assembly has been highlighted with marking the conclusion of the Year of Jubilee and the inauguration and commencement of the implementation of the guidelines of the final document of Synodality in the universal Catholic Church in general and in our respective jurisdictions in particular.

2. As we are in the season of Advent, waiting for Jesus to be born in our hearts, we echo the angel’s comforting words: “Do not be afraid.” These words, addressed also to Mary, Yosef her spouse, and the first disciples in their encounter with the Risen Lord, are spoken anew to us today — here and now, in the concrete realities of our beloved country, Ethiopia. In a nation burdened by many hardships—poverty, conflict, climate change, cultural confusion, and division—these words remind us that even amid darkness, the divine light of Christ shines forth, guiding us toward renewed hope and unity. In this Holy season of Advent, a time of watchful waiting and hopeful expectation, our hearts are drawn to the night when the angel appeared to the shepherds, surrounded by the glory of the Lord. Their world, too, was one of uncertainty and hardship. And the first words spoken from heaven were: “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).

3. Today, we, your Bishops, echo this divine message to all of you: Do not be afraid. We proclaim it not as a denial of the profound suffering and fear that grips our nation, but as a faith-filled affirmation that God is with us. He comes as the “Rising Star” who does not let us down, even in our darkest hours. In this Advent, we await for Him not in passive despair, but by actively choosing to walk together in synodality—a journey of communion, participation, and mission. At the conclusion of the year of Hope, the message of synodality calls us—clergy and laity, all people of good will—to walk together, embracing communion, participation, and mission. Inspired by our Lord’s invitation to be one, we recognize that our shared journey must confront the pressing challenges facing our dear Country, Ethiopia, today. As shepherds of the Church, we are called to be voices of peace, hope, and reconciliation, standing firmly against the storms of division and violence that threaten to engulf our communities.

The Context of Our Challenges in Ethiopia:

We look at our beloved Country Ethiopia, and see the heavy burdens we carry. Some of the burdens that afflict our land can be summarized as follows:

4. The Crushing Cost of Living: For so many families, daily life has become unbearable. Soaring prices render basic provisions a luxury. Parents watch helplessly as children go to bed hungry. The fabric of family life is fraying under this weight. This violates the fundamental principle of Catholic Social Teaching on the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, which demands that economic structures serve human dignity.

5. The Scourge of Climate Change: Persistent drought and environmental degradation test our resilience to the breaking point. The poor, who contribute least to this crisis, pay its highest price. Imagine those who are dying of hunger in a country of plenty. We are called to be stewards of God’s creation (Genesis 2:15), yet we are caught in unsustainable patterns. This cries out for ecological conversion and collective action. As outlined in Laudato Si, we need a transformation of hearts and minds toward greater love of God, each other, and creation. It requires ‘an overall personal conversion, which entails the recognition of our errors, sins, faults and failures, and leads to heartfelt repentance and desire to change’ (LS 218).

6. Cultural Confusion and Disintegration: Tribal conflicts, ethnic hatred, and ideologies of division threaten to unravel our sacred national fabric. Social media’s influence threatens our collective identity, weakening the bonds that unite us. The new culture shaped by digitization is doing away with our longstanding values. The modern culture seems to be embraced without discernment and critical thinking. A damaging “us vs. them” mentality, amplified at times by social media, erodes our shared values and confuses our youth. We risk losing the sense of common good—that the well-being of each is bound to the well-being of all.

7. Endless Conflict: From the deep wounds of recent civil war to ongoing local violence, our land is soaked in pain. Security is a rare commodity. Senseless conflicts based on religion, ethnicity, or politics trap us in a vicious cycle of revenge and destruction. This stands in direct contradiction to the Gospel call to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to the Church’s teaching on the active pursuit of justice and reconciliation.

We are painfully aware of the turmoil that has gripped our nation in recent years. The echoes of war resonate in our hearts and homes, reminding us of the suffering endured by our brothers and sisters. The conflicts that have arisen, whether they be political, economic, or social, have left many in fear and uncertainty. The lack of safety and security across all regions of Ethiopia is a grave concern that cannot be ignored. Families are torn apart, communities fractured, and the spirit of unity that once defined us is under siege.

The Catholic Church teaches us that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice and the flourishing of human dignity. As we reflect on the conflicts that have plagued our country, we must ask ourselves: When will we have enough? When will we turn away from the cycle of violence and work towards healing and rebuilding? It is our sacred duty to confront these issues, to speak truthfully about the state of our nation, and to advocate for a future grounded in peace.

The consequences of the ongoing conflict are dire. Economically, our nation suffers; families struggle to put food on the table, and opportunities for education and employment are diminished. Culturally, the rich tapestry of our diverse heritage is fraying, as divisions grow deeper and mistrust takes root. Socially, we see the rise of displacement, with many individuals and families forced to leave their homes, becoming internally displaced persons (IDPs), and countless many are leaving their homeland and end up leaving in frustration and precarious conditions. The immigration policies of the developed countries have left our citizens in diaspora in a lot of uncertainty.

We must recognize that the pain inflicted by war extends far beyond the battlefield. It seeps into the very fabric of our society, affecting our children, our elders, and our future. As a Church, we cannot remain silent in the face of such suffering. We are called to be instruments of peace, to advocate for the voiceless, and to work tirelessly for reconciliation.

8. The Communication Barrier: Our greatest failure may be our inability to dialogue. A zero-sum mentality, selfishness, and closed minds have replaced a culture of “give and take.” From families to political elites, we speak in a “Babylon” of confusion, unable to truly listen. Barriers arising from languages, political view and religious ideologies have controlled our communication and have left us with narrowness and shallowness. As Fratelli Tutti teaches, authentic social dialogue “requires the ability to respect the other’s point of view and to admit that it may include legitimate convictions and concerns” (#203).

9. Despite profound difficulties, of course, our country has demonstrated remarkable resilience in several areas, such as massive investments in economic infrastructure, which have created a tangible foundation for future economic growth. Agricultural productivity and export diversification, digital transformation, couple withthe growth of homegrown fintech platforms, diplomatic re-engagement and peace move, vibrant private sector engagement, green legacy initiatives coupled with economic self-reliance, homegrown solutions, and demographic dividend are some of the key positive aspects playing as a governing philosophy that is giving hope for the transformation of our country.

The Synodal Path as Our Response in a Time of Fear

10. The Gospel’s message, especially the refrain “Do not be afraid,” echoes through our history and scripture. The Second Vatican Council’s Gaudium et Spes reminds us that even in suffering, “Christ has overcome the world” (John 16:33), calling us to participate in His victory by walking together in synodality. In Centisimus Annus, Pope St. John Paul II reflected on human dignity and the importance of sharing in Christ’s mission. Likewise, Fratelli Tutti invites us to a culture of dialogue, forgiveness, and brotherhood, essential in healing divisions within our nation.

The Synod on Synodality’s final document emphasizes that true communion requires listening, openness, and shared responsibility. The Vademecum guides us step by step on how to walk this journey, emphasizing that synodality is not merely a process but a way of life—an ongoing accompaniment that transforms communities and souls.

The recently concluded Universal Synod on Synodality, and its guiding document, remind us that the Church is called to be a living sign of communion for all humanity. Synodality is “the path along which the Church is called to walk… making everyone participate in a journey of common listening and discernment” (Synod Vademecum). This is not merely a Church exercise; it is a prophetic witness and a concrete answer to the deep crises we face as a nation. In a context of immense fear, walking together is an act of resistance against every force that divides and destroys.

11. We invite you, our dear priests, religious men and women, our pastoral agents and faithful, to become a more ‘synodal church’ rooted in communion, participation, and mission. The following frameworks will help you to have an ongoing conversion and action in your respective jurisdictions in the implementation of the synodal way:

• Companions in the Journey

Do not be afraid to recognise that all members of the Church are on a common pilgrimage, encouraging mutual support and presence. No one should be left out to walk towards the church we want to be.

• Building Communion and Listening

Do not be afraid to commit yourselves to listening deeply to one another, especially those on the peripheries. Just as Christ listens to our pains, we must listen to the voices of the marginalized, the youth, and those suffering from conflict and economic hardship. This active listening fosters trust and unity, countering fear with solidarity.

• Speaking Out The Truth

Do not be afraid to foster an environment where all the baptized are encouraged to speak the truth with courage and prudence, sharing their experiences and concerns honestly. Not in a manner of accusation and blaming but in the spirit of fraternal correction.

• Celebrating

Do not be afraid to recognize the importance of liturgical life and shared prayer as the source and summit of the Church’s synodal journey, where unity in diversity is experienced. Do not be afraid to keep intact your identity as Catholics as expressed in your liturgical life.

• Co-responsibility in the Mission

Do not be afraid to promote the understanding that all members, by virtue of their baptism, share responsibility for the Church’s mission of evangelization and service. Do not be afraid or hesitate to actively participate in the mission of your parish. Engage proactively to spread the catholic faith and values in every opportunity you get! Promote integral human development as your church’s mission and vision in all our institutions to benefit all humanity regardless of their creed, trip, religion or any background.

• Dialogue in Church and Society

Do not be afraid to encourage dialogue within the Church and with the wider community, including different cultures, religions, and sectors of society, to build bridges and address contemporary challenges. Do not be afraid to foster a culture of dialogue within your family, within your neighborhood, within your parish, within your eparchies and vicariates.

• Ecumenism with Christian Denominations

Do not be afraid to actively pursue ecumenism, listening to and learning from other Christian traditions to strengthen the path toward unity.

• Re-evaluate Authority and Participation

Do not be afraid to re-evaluate how authority is exercised, moving towards a model of service that facilitates the participation and co-responsibility of all members, while respecting the hierarchical structure of the Church.

• Discerning and Deciding

Do not be afraid to implement communal discernment processes rooted in prayer and scripture to identify God’s will and make decisions that reflect the shared path of the community.

• Forming ourselves in Synodality

Do not be afraid to commit to ongoing formation and the renewal of structures (like parish and finance councils) so that the principles and practices of synodality become the ordinary way the Church operates at all levels.

Mary, the mother of God, is our Good Example of Synodality

12. In simple and concise terms, synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ.

As outlined in the final document of Synodal Church, we see the features of a synodal, missionary, and merciful Church shining in full light in the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, of the Church, and of humanity. She is the form of the Church who listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides, and acts. From Her we learn the art of listening, attentiveness to God’s will, obedience to God’s Word, and a readiness to hear the needs of those who are poor and to set out along the path. We also learn the love that reaches out to aid those in need and the song of praise that exults in the Spirit. For this reason, as Saint Paul VI said, “the action of the Church in the world can be likened to an extension of Mary’s concern” (MC, 28). (#29)

 “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.” (Luke 2:10)

We take this opportunity to wish you a blessed Christmas celebration and a grace-filled season. May the grace of Christmas help all of us to be fearless and courageous to love and serve one another.

In the love of Christ,

Bishops of the Ethiopian Catholic Church

December, 2025