Religious Sisters of Ethiopia have been encouraged to embrace a modest lifestyle and work towards realization of self-reliance.
The facilitator of the training Fr. Matthewos Ajabo a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM CAP) said to embrace sustainability, members of Congregations have to come together to discern along with their charisma and see what they can do for themselves and their ministries.
He said, “Sisters need to be helped more in the area of sustainability and leadership of the Congregation. Those in decision making have to support Sisters who are willing to initiate self-reliant projects”.
The nuns were further encouraged to rely on their abilities and efforts for the betterment of their ministries and the mission of the Church at large.
“There is a need of sustainability conversation where people can share, listen and support one another. In this era, sustainability is key to enhancing continuity of Religious life and its ministries,” he said.
Fr. Matthews Ajabo added that even if the Religious institutes in Ethiopia have little to show towards self-reliance and sustainable development, there is still hope. He acknowledged that some local Congregations are working towards self-sustainability as they offer their services to schools, Clinics and other areas of apostolate.
He emphasized that stable sustainability requires good stewardship where funds are used for what it has been planned for. On this point, the Sisters were reminded of the decline of donor support especially now due to the global crises caused by Covid-19.
Fr. Matthews underlined that “the situation in Ethiopia as characterized by poverty, political stability, social disorientation, among others have weakened the vision towards reliance and sustainable development,” he said.
He noted that the Catholic Social Teaching calls for empowerment of the poor and marginalized for them to become equal and responsible citizens. As well noted, self-reliance has its root in the Gospel of Jesus Christ whereby in His teaching, Jesus changed people to self-help. “For example, in the feeding of the thousands, the disciples were helped to use the available resources to meet the needs of others,” he quoted.
The Sisters were reminded that empowerment of people is crucial for sustainability as it helps them to be active and to shape their destiny. They were invited to always “see the signs of times and translate them in the light of the Gospel” (Gs 1, 2).
Appreciating the training, Sr. Abeba of the Daughters of Charity said that sustainability is practical and her Congregation is embracing it. She acknowledged that the knowledge she received from the training will help her to start something sustainable and her superior is ready to help her. She however said that her Congregation would need to be helped more in this area of self-reliance.
Another participant Sr. Getenesh Woldeamlack, a member of Consolata Missionary Sisters and formator appreciated the training and said, “Networking can help the Sisters to learn more from each other how to be self-reliant. Slowly, Africa has to be independent in terms of sustainability.”
The ACWECA finance officer, Sr. Betty Grace Atim stressed that sustainability needs to be included in the formation program where young girls are trained how to be self-reliant.
The training which was organized by the Association of Consecrated Women in East and Central Africa Leadership for Mission Program with the support from Porticus drew together leaders of different Congregations and formators within the country of Ethiopia.
The training was conducted on 30th of October, 2021 at the Conference Centre of Major Religious Superiors of Ethiopia.
