The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia issues a pastoral message urging Catholics and people of good will to embrace a profound interior conversion through prayer, fasting, and works of charity during the 2026 Lenten season.
By Bezawit Bogale
As the Catholic Church enters the season of Lent, Cardinal Abune Berhaneyesus, CM, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, issued a pastoral message urging Catholics and all people of good will to embrace a profound interior conversion through prayer, fasting, and works of charity.
Citing the Gospel of Matthew 6:17-18, Cardinal Berhaneyesus reminded the faithful: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” He emphasized that Lent is a sacred opportunity for spiritual renewal and urged believers to detach from worldly distractions and draw closer to God.
The Ethiopian Catholic Church, which follows the Ethiopian calendar, celebrates Lent according to both the Eastern (Ge‘ez) and Latin calendars. In 2026, the Eastern Church began the Lenten season on 16 February, while the Latin Church will start the season on 18 February. This dual observance reflects the Church’s rich heritage, blending traditional Ge‘ez liturgy with the universal Latin liturgical practice, and underscores Ethiopia’s unique place in the global Catholic community.
In his message, the Cardinal highlighted the importance of authentic prayer, rooted not merely in words but in a life aligned with Christ’s teachings. Lent, he explained, is a time to contemplate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, fostering a deeper relationship with God the Father through the Holy Spirit. He urged praying for neighbors, those suffering, people affected by conflict and displacement, the imprisoned, and for leaders to govern with wisdom and integrity.
Fasting beyond food
According to Cardinal Berhaneyesus, fasting is not limited to abstaining from food. True fasting encompasses restraint from excess, distractions, sin, harmful speech, and actions that wound others. It is expressed in patience, forgiveness, charity, and steadfast respect for human dignity. “By fasting with sincerity, our hearts become attentive to God, and in silence and reflection, we encounter Christ,” he said.
The Cardinal called Lent a time for interior transformation, a season to cultivate moral vigilance, reconcile with others, and engage in acts of mercy. Drawing on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli tutti, Cardinal Berhaneyesus emphasized attentive listening and respect for the dignity of every person as essential to authentic dialogue and Christian witness in a world overwhelmed by noise, misinformation, and injustice.
A call for peace and justice
The Cardinal appealed for prayers for peace and justice in Ethiopia and throughout the world, for protection from natural and man-made disasters, and for enduring faith among the faithful during these challenging times.
Concluding his message, Cardinal Berhaneyesus invoked the intercession of Our Lady, the angels, martyrs, and all saints, calling on believers to undertake this Lenten journey with sincere hearts, prayerful devotion, and a commitment to lives of love, reconciliation, and service.
