Deacon Mintesnot has been ordained priest in Jijiga

 During his homily, the ordaining bishop, Mons. Tasfaye, highlighted the beauty of priestly ministry, emphasising the sacred responsibility that comes with serving the Church and the community.

The event was dignified by a large gathering of religious priests and sisters, including representatives of Comboni Missionaries and Comboni Sisters. St. Joseph Parish, which has been blessed with the presence of missionaries for over a century, celebrated this special occasion with jubilation and a deep sense of spiritual fulfilment.

Mintesnot Simeneh, who completed his theological studies and was ordained deacon in Brazil, has now been appointed to serve as a priest in the Comboni province of this South American country.

How fitting were the final words of the provincial superior at the end of the celebration: “The assignment of Father Mintesnot to the Comboni Province of Brazil for his first missionary priestly ministry is a wonderful sign of the openness to the whole world of this parish of St Joseph in Jijiga, of the Apostolic Vicariate of Harar, of the Comboni Province of Ethiopia and also of the entire Ethiopian Catholic Church: sending one of our “witnesses” as a gift of our faith to the Church in Brazil shows without a shadow of a doubt that we have taken Jesus’ command seriously: ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature’. In a sense, it is proof of our maturity. For this, we can only thank the Lord.”

The celebratory day concluded with a festive meal prepared in the parish hall, symbolizing unity, joy, and the blessings of a new chapter in the life of Minstesnot Simeneh as he embarks on his journey as a newly ordained priest serving the Church in Brazil.

Fr Asfaha Yohannes, mccj