On 12 Jan 2015 03:45, Mulugeta Haile wrote:

 

I, Mulugeta Haile, offer my warm wishes to you, Your Holiness Archbishop Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, as you ascend to the position of cardinal to receive the red biretta this coming February 14th in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican.

 

As the second Ethiopian cardinal since 1977, your selection has come at high time when several thousand Ethiopians and other peace loving people throughout the world are signing a petition on the Global Alliance for Justice webpage for the role of the Vatican and its cardinals during the five year Italian war crime against the innocent Ethiopians.

 

I hope your selection is going to be a blessing for cleansing of the old sin of the Vatican.

 

Many will think your selection is a surprise choice; but to those who know you, it is a divine ordination and high call from God who has chosen you to be a messenger for millions of victims. One of the victims, a 30 year old man, Simion Addefres, was your nephew. Thankfully, you gave life to Simion's legacy by erecting a statue, on which you engraved:

 

Simion Addefrs was a sole friend of Abrham Deboch and Moges Asgdom who threw a bomb at General Graziani. After the attempt, Simion picked them  up with his taxi to their escape. On his return to Addis Ababa, Simion was captured and thrown into jail, in which he excruciatingly suffered. Finally, he died by poison in jail. His body was buried secretly by his family.

 

Under the engraved description, on the plaque honoring your nephew, your name is written and it reads: "The son of his nephew, Aba Brhaneyesus Demerew Suraphael, Addis Ababa, 1983 (Ethiopia calendar)." It is ironic that 50 km away from where you will be ordained a cardinal, in Affile, stands a statue honoring General Graziani, a key figure leading to the genocide of millions of innocent Ethiopians, including your nephew. 

 

According to a Vatican spokes person, the selection of Pope Francis' 14 cardinals this year, from different small nations, is to bring diverse viewpoints to the Vatican. The long awaited for Vatican apology would give a voice to small nations frequently ignored. The apology the Vatican gave to Jewish people in 2000, and others throughout the years, should similarly be given to Ethiopia. Moreover, the Vatican cardinals never blessed the soldiers of Hitler, but did bless the solders of Mussolini as they deployed to invade Ethiopia.   

 

Thank God; the hope of justice for Ethiopia is finally in your hand, the hand that gives life to martyr Simion Addefes.

 

With great respect,

Mulugeta Haile

P.S. Please kindly visit the following website when you have the time: www.globalallianceforethiopia.org

 The statue of the martyr, Simoin Addefres, commissioned by His Grace Archbishop Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel