Ethiopian Bishops appeal for protection of migrants and respect for human dignity

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia issues a pastoral appeal calling for urgent protection of Ethiopian migrants, many of whom face grave risks along migration routes in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Ethiopian migrants travel in a remote desert area of Djibouti (AFP or licensors)

Quoting the Gospel, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Mt 5, 7), the Bishops of Ethiopia underline that migration for many Ethiopians is not a matter of preference but of survival.

Young men and women leave their homeland seeking employment, dignity, and the means to support their families, note the Ethiopian Bishops in their pastoral appeal.

Yet, instead of finding opportunity, many migrants encounter exploitation, violence, and profound vulnerability. The Bishops insist that migrants must never be reduced to statistics, affirming that their human dignity remains sacred and cannot be erased by borders, legal status, or economic systems.

The Bishops express deep concern over reports that hundreds of Ethiopian nationals detained in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are at risk of execution. They issue a direct and urgent appeal to the authorities to suspend any such actions and to show clemency.

Emphasizing the moral imperative of mercy, the bishops state that justice is not diminished by mercy but rather elevated through it, offering hope where despair threatens to prevail.

Dangerous migration routes and human suffering

The pastoral appeal highlights the severe hardships faced by Ethiopian migrants across various regions.

Those traveling through the Red Sea and Yemen endure perilous journeys marked by abuse, exploitation, and death. In Lebanon, ongoing instability has left many migrants in precarious conditions, prompting growing calls for repatriation.

Across several Gulf countries, regional tensions contribute to an atmosphere of insecurity for migrant communities. In South Africa, repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence continue to threaten lives and livelihoods.

Particularly alarming, note the Bishops, is the Sudan–Libya–Europe route, where migrants face desert crossings, human trafficking, detention, forced labor, and dangerous sea journeys across the Mediterranean. Many lose their lives along these paths, while only a few reach the shores of Lampedusa.

Church’s witness of solidarity

The Bishops recall the Church’s enduring commitment to migrants and refugees. They point to Pope Francis’ historic gesture in Lampedusa, where he prayed and laid a wreath in memory of migrants who perished at sea, as a powerful sign of compassion and solidarity.

They also note the scheduled visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lampedusa, which continues the Church’s mission of standing alongside migrants and defending their dignity on the global stage.

A call to the international community

Drawing on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Bishops reiterate that more prosperous nations have a moral obligation to welcome those seeking safety and livelihood (CCC 2241). They call for a renewed global commitment to solidarity, justice, and responsibility.

At the same time, they emphasize the urgent need to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, unemployment, conflict, environmental degradation, and lack of opportunities for young people. Ignoring these issues, they warn, will only deepen the crisis.

The Ethiopian Bishops affirm that the true measure of humanity and civilization lies in how society treats its most vulnerable members.

The appeal concludes with a call for dialogue, mercy, and wisdom in addressing the migration crisis.

The Bishops entrust Ethiopian migrants, their families, and all decision-makers to the mercy and guidance of Almighty God, praying that compassion may prevail over suffering and that human dignity may always be upheld.

Bezawit Bogale - Addis Ababa
Source: vaticannews.va/en