Bishop Abraha François: His Self-Sacrificing Life

By Reverend Kibraab Saad

Taking account of the 10th memorial anniversary of the life of Bishop Abraha François, when the Tigrigna version was published, I honour the contribution of Reverend Kibreab Saad, to the life history of the honourable Bishop Abraha.

A Father who in his life was deeply spiritual, an excellent example in his earthly life, by his exemplification or example, a Gospel teacher, who has contributed a great deal to the Catholic church in Eritrea, to be at a level it finds itself under by developing a strong level. In addition to what we can learn from his spiritual and priestly practices, is something we can learn from and needing record like this book contributed by Reverend Kibreab Saad who studied his priestly practices by Bishop Abraha, knowing him in person. To give a light in the life of Bishop Abraha for reflection by the reader is a great contribution. I share my appreciation for the book to go in to print.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jun 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664117716

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Copyright © 2022 by Reverend Kibraab Saad.

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Rev. date: 06/30/2022

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CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1     Historic background of the François Family

Chapter 2     1. Bishop Abraha on education

Chapter 3     Ordination of local Bishops

Chapter 4     The practice of Gospel teaching and planned administration

Chapter 5     The Seminary, The Eye of Diocese and Raising Mission

Chapter 6     1. Self-sufficient Asmara Arch Diocese

Chapter 7     1. Political challenges and stand of Bishop Abraha

Chapter 8     Testimony of his spiritual and social life

Conclusion

PREFACE

A gifted, who rose in higher state from his peers, in his function and contributions- there are those leaving footprints behind. If one does not record the realistic history, it remains buried without use, throughout generations. Among those that the church raised with stronger mind-sets and deep seated spiritual inclinations, among these, known separately is the late Bishop Abraha François.

There are people who are naturally gifted who rise above their compeers leaving behind history and foot prints of blessedness. If their history is not recorded and written, it would for generations remain unknown and be buried as unknown. One such personality with immense intelligence, deep spiritual stance and known by their solid grounding is the late Bishop Abraha François.

Bishop Abraha is a Reverend without equivalence. Under any unsettling situations, built with solidified spiritual perspectives, Bishop Abraha François had been known for his solid blessed spiritual guidance. A promoter of good news. This is the late, blessed Bishop Abraha Francoise.

Bishop Abraha is a priestly Father without proportion. Under any unsettling circumstances, he proved a spiritual guide with a solid spiritual standpoint. As his goings had been truth natured, he is remembered as honourable guide to Eritrea, to his church and to his people. Leaving behind unforgettable spiritual history and guidance. History he left behind is unforgettable. To the one who had been exemplarily holy, filled with deep Christian spirit, had been an honour for me to experience and observe. Coming from this state, I here demonstrate my small contribution- writing a small part of the ocean of what Bishop Abraha left behind in me as I had for long the wish to communicate my small observation of Blessed Bishop Abraha in his earthly life. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share my views in this book after a while. In my younger years, I made a point of noting my experiences and collecting documents relating to the honoured Bishop Abraha François.

It is on the 2000th jubilee preparations period that it occurred to me to scribe the outlooks and positives that Bishop Abraha, gave me the opportunity to collect related documents on the life of Bishop Abraha François¹. I was encouraged and continued to get viewpoints and contributions from fellow church goers, priests, nuns, monks and believers. Appreciating the support I got, I continued to record all that transpired in to this book many years later.

In the years of 1999 to 2000, I engaged in documenting and writing what I collected and came across in documenting composing all. Never the less, although I started the whole process of documenting and writing about, I did get worried about my capabilities. I thought, am I qualified and deserving to document on such a personality’s life history? This was mainly because embarking on documenting on the life and service of such a chosen high priest could not be taken lightly. Recognizing his services and plans, requiring deeper research and study, I felt, it required many qualities.

As the bible of Jeremiah 1:5 states, »Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you», as the calling and inspiring life history goes, Bishop Abraha was a formidable pastor with a difference. Recollecting the chosen life of this different creature, in his birth, in his youth, his priestly calling and his honourable Bishop-hood. For over 25 years of challenging pastoral duties, difficult political circumstances requiring immense sacrifices surrounding him- requires concentrated documenting and reflective writing. What I am providing here is a tiny contribution of what transpired.

His leadership manners that started in 1951, all seemed a pride to the immediate followers, in the church, his humble and reflective guidance and pastoral-ship delivering more. His sound belief in truth and his inner strength earned him praises and honour from the then king of Ethiopia when Eritrea was a part of, where Bishop Abraha practiced- that being King HaileSilassie. His positive outlooks is confirmed by government officials, religious leaders, learned personalities and lay public witnessing what they saw.

To archive the deeper understanding, to collect sufficient background, I contacted various personalities and people inland and abroad. The set of documentation I put forward, does not tell the deep seated perspectives of his positive exemplification, deep rooted in people’s hearts and minds. This said, his private and public life, his spirituality and humbleness, celebrating mass, fasting, praying, meditating, sacrificing by denying himself of body indulgences, doing planned work schedules well and nurturing communication and more was what Bishop Abraha François endured in his earthly lifetime.

To put a balanced view on this, to when I was his student long ago, I accompanied him to Orthodox churches and as the traditional norm carrying shoes when he enters church. Myself, as a priest, inviting him to my parish church in big spiritual festive days, as a result, hearing his educative homilies. Based on these realistic facts, I chose to express my views in my humble ways hoping this would be contributory to other writers of the subject. This was a collection of materials that I was able to access.

I call on all well-wishers, and those who honour Bishop Abraha François to put their part as to the holiness recognition of Bishop Abraha, and contributions to the sainthood of Bishop Abraha that I don’t doubt.

A word of gratitude

Being the will of God, I am pleased to see this document go into print. This book is a result of the lovers and students of Bishop Abraha François. Saint David says, One word is enough to the wise. In order to finalise this project practically from the start of having thought about it, I thank those that encouraged me, advised and guided me, finding related subject matter documents and did not fail to give me their views and ideas. Also those that corrected the contents and enabled me in putting together the document, I deeply praise. This includes all the religious people, priests and lay persons, also my compeers, my age mates, nuns, teachers, to professional writers and journalists, and the lovers of Bishop Abraha, Mr. Yosief Tewolde who translated the book from Tigrigna and English, I am indebted for thanks. May God bless all. I remind that expressing positively and glamorizing the life to Sainthood, the life of Bishop Abraha François is honourable and lets seek help with prayer on Our lady of Mercy. Amen.

Specially, to those that guided and helped me to make this possible, to those I seeked help from and encouraged me to undertake this, in particular, the honoured Bishop KidaneMariyam Yebio of Keren diocese, also specially, Reverend Gabriel Estifanos and Reverend Okbagabir Weldeghiorghis are at the helm of my gratitude. Additionally, I thank Reverend Woldemariam Yohannes for giving me documents and directions for sources, Nun Tsehaytu Iyassu, Nun Hiwet Menghisteab, the late Keshi Elias Michael, Reverend Tesfazghi Okbit, Reverend Mehari Woldemariam, Reverend Tesfaldet TekleMichael, the late Merigeta Yakob Indrias, Honourable Dr. Bernhard with his honoured wife Karmen Rami of St. Katherine Germany, teacher Afrhom Meskel.

As mentioned earlier, the work undertaken took many years and reviewed many elements and references, those that contributed lovers of Bishop Abraha, while they are many, I named the few. As their contributions and supplements gave me encouragements which I cannot relay in words. I say, may God reward you all².

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