A Legacy of Faith and Service: Ethiopian Church Honors L’Œuvre d’Orient

Representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE), His Excellency Bishop Markos Gebremedhin, CM, Bishop of Jimma‑Bonga and Vice President of the CBCE, together with His Excellency Bishop Tesfasilassie Tadesse, MCCJ, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa, attended the 170th anniversary commemoration of L’Œuvre d’Orient, held in Paris, France.

Speaking on behalf of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Bishop Tesfasilassie expressed profound appreciation for L’Œuvre d’Orient’s long‑standing support to the Catholic Church and local communities in Ethiopia, coinciding with the organization’s 170th anniversary.

Founded in 1856 as the Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient, L’Œuvre d’Orient was originally established to support Eastern Christian communities through education. Over the past 170 years, the association has expanded its mission to include humanitarian assistance, pastoral support, and the preservation of Christian cultural heritage, while standing in solidarity with wider local communities.

As part of the anniversary commemorations, a solemn Mass marking the 170th anniversary of L’Œuvre d’Orient was held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Cathedral of Notre‑Dame de Paris.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, and concelebrated with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, together with bishops, clergy, religious, and faithful from France and other countries.

Speaking in the presence of Cardinal Gugerotti and Archbishop Ulrich, Bishop Tesfasilassie thanked L’Œuvre d’Orient for its wide‑ranging contributions in education, healthcare, social assistance, culture, and heritage preservation across Ethiopia.

The celebration was also attended by Bishop Markos Gebremedhin, who highlighted how L’Œuvre d’Orient has consistently supported Ethiopian dioceses, religious communities, and the wider population.

“L’Œuvre d’Orient has helped our communities directly and also through ROACO, thanks to the mediation of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches and the Apostolic Nunciature in Ethiopia, and we say a big thank you to everyone,” he said.

Bishop Tesfasilassie praised the leadership of Monsignor Hugues de Woillemont, Director General of L’Œuvre d’Orient, as well as donors, project officers, and representatives who have worked closely with the Ethiopian Church over the years. Special gratitude was extended to benefactors, both living and deceased, for sustaining solidarity with the Churches of the Christian East. He further emphasized that the organization’s assistance has benefited not only Catholics but also Orthodox Christians, Evangelical communities, and Muslim communities, highlighting L’Œuvre d’Orient’s role in promoting interreligious solidarity and social cohesion in Ethiopia.

Historical records reveal that the relationship between L’Œuvre d’Orient and Catholic communities in Ethiopia spans more than a century. Letters dating back to 1923, written by the Daughters of Charity and the Lazarists, testify to a long‑standing and faithful connection, marked by decades of trust and collaboration.

Over the years, L’Œuvre d’Orient has made a significant contribution in Ethiopia, particularly in pastoral formation, church renovation and construction, and educational support, including assistance to Catholic university students. Its work has also extended to healthcare, agriculture, social action, women’s empowerment, and support for vulnerable communities, while fostering strong relationships of trust and fraternity with local Church communities and families.

The address concluded with a call for continued prayer and concrete action for peace, echoing the appeal of Pope Leo XIV, and commending the Church in France for its missionary commitment and the growing number of adult baptisms.