A message for the New Year
by father mussie shishay Orthodox Priest.
1.1.2015 |
| father mussie shishay |
At the
beginning of this New Year, let me join others in wishing you ‘A
Happy New Year’. I do it as the Orthodox Priest of the Eritrean
church in the name of Almighty God and on behalf of the Eritrean people.
A New
Year is always hoped to bring a new beginning. We express once more
our communion with people whose lives were reduced to rubble by
natural circumstances and human responsibility. But how can we forget
the multitudes whose lives are ruined daily by poverty, disease,
corruption, lack of employment, and inadequate services. They are
very much present in our thoughts and prayer.
Some
people might think that mentioning the ruins of life does not belong
to a New Year message that purports to center on hope. But in the
Bible, hope arises and becomes true in unlogical and difficult
situations. Christian hope does not consist in wishes or in the
denial of truth but in an unwavering trust in God. God is our hope.
The past
year may or may not have been a happy one for you, but you want the
new year to be a happy one; not just for yourself, also for others.
That is why you wish them, ‘A Happy New Year’. Yet the question I
want you to answer is not ‘Will you wish people a happy new year’,
but will you make it for them a happy new year?
In the
past years Christians are passing many problems in this world by
radicalism, terrorism and dictators. The past year is very difficult
for the Christians in the Middle East. Many Christians are migrating
from their homes and abused and killed by terrorist organization.
To
return back to our country Eritrea, as we celebrate Christmas and the
New Year, we must remember Eritrean prisoners. We left behind a year
full of difficulties and no hope. The Leader of the North Korea of
Africa(Eritrea), Dictator Isaias Afewerki, persecuted Eritrean
Christians. Eritrean Christians are still in prison for more than 10
years with out any legal evidence like other Eritrea prisoners of
conscience.The Eritrean Orthodox Church is divided into different groups because of the government Afewerki daily interference in the private affairs of the Church.
As they strike the Shepherd they could able to scatter the sheep of the flock (Matthew 26:31). Some churches are already been closed not only because of the regime's hostile policy towards religious teachings and ministry in Sunday school; but also because of there is an acute shortage of Priests and Deacons. In addition the Bishops in Eritrea have no power to make an independent crucial decision and give spiritual guidance. They are under severe repression by the Eritrean regime. The government controls every activity of the church including tithes and offerings. This is all done through inside collaborators of the regime. And sadly this all happen while many true servants of the church are forced to exile in Ethiopia, Sudan, Israel, Europe and North America. He is Distracted the church .
As they strike the Shepherd they could able to scatter the sheep of the flock (Matthew 26:31). Some churches are already been closed not only because of the regime's hostile policy towards religious teachings and ministry in Sunday school; but also because of there is an acute shortage of Priests and Deacons. In addition the Bishops in Eritrea have no power to make an independent crucial decision and give spiritual guidance. They are under severe repression by the Eritrean regime. The government controls every activity of the church including tithes and offerings. This is all done through inside collaborators of the regime. And sadly this all happen while many true servants of the church are forced to exile in Ethiopia, Sudan, Israel, Europe and North America. He is Distracted the church .
Torture,
arbitrary detention, and severe restrictions on freedom of
expression, association, and religious freedom remain routine in
Eritrea. Elections have not been held since Eritrea gained
independence in 1993, the constitution has never been implemented,
and political parties are not allowed. There are no institutional
constraints on President Isaias Afewerki, in power now for twenty
five. In addition to ongoing serious human rights abuses, forced
labor and indefinite military service prompt thousands of Eritreans
to flee the country every year. Access to the country for
international humanitarian and human rights organizations is almost
impossible and the country has no independent media.
Isaias
Afewerki in his message to the Eritrean people clearly said to us, “I
am A Dictator....I just shredded and thrown down the ratified
Eritrean Constitution, which I conveniently refused to implement for
15 years. Now I am going to write you a brand new constitution that I
think you deserve.”
We
condemn his message against our society, against our right, against
our nationality, against our voice. Eritrea is for Eritreans! Not for
one dictator! And this year we do not expect good things from the
dictator, but we will wait our God. Our hope is from our God and our
solution is from him.
As
Christians we believe that God has given humanity the respect and
freedom to choose and live its faith. And this right is further
enshrined in international treaties and agreements such as the
Universal Declaration of Human rights. It is unfortunate therefore to
acknowledge that Eritrean to suffer human rights violations and lives
without these freedoms.
We must
remember all these problems and we pray for those deprived of their
basic human rights in Eritrea, as well as for continued strength to
those who advocate for them, confident that those prayers and the
cries of all who call upon the Lord are heard, reminded that “I
have surely seen the oppression of My people…and have heard their
cry…for I know their sorrows” (Exodus 3:7).
As I
wish you a Happy New Year, I pray that you and I will make it a happy
new year for those in our home and those whom we serve in our work. I
wish you all the blessings of the Feast of the holy Nativity, and a
New Year filled with good health, success and joy in all that it is
dear.
God
bless All
Father
Mussie Shishay an Eritrean Orthodox Priest
