By Rita McInerney, Staff Writer

ATLANTA – Bishop Zecharias Yohannes, of the Diocese of Asmara, Eritrea, came to Atlanta to meet with members of his flock forced to flee their country during a long struggle for independence from Ethiopia.

When he celebrated Mass for Eritrean Catholics on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHM) in Atlanta, he reminded them of their obligation to attend Mass more frequently. Speaking in Geez, the liturgical language in Eritrea, he said that while the war which forced them to flee Eritrea was partly responsible for this situation, they need to examine their actions so as to be ready whenever God calls. He reminded them to follow their conscience, the primary guide for all right behavior.

Eritrea voted for independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The 30-year war for freedom officially ended May 24, 1991, Bishop Yohannes said in soft-spoken, accented English. His ability to communicate in English was tested often during his first six-week trip to Canada and the U.S.

He returns home Nov. 29 to about 100,000 Catholics in a diocese of approximately 125,000 kilometers. He is assisted by 74 priests, 50 percent from the Orthodox church. His situation, common to many bishops, is one of aging priests and few vocations, he said.

Asked his impression of the U.S., he said that he found it a place where “all things are possible to find and all things are possible to do.”

The Saturday night Mass celebrated by the Eritrean bishop was characterized by a more ritualistic solemnity than Catholics at the 5:30 Vigil Mass a short time earlier experienced. The bishop and his deacon, Hailemichael Weldeghiorghis, a theology graduate of the seminary in Asmara, sang the Mass prayers, the responses and readings. The use of incense was frequent. With some exceptions, men stood on the left hand side of the church while the women stood on the right side, several wearing native dress, a pale, sari-like wraparound that also covers the head.

Children came with their parents but began to look for some diversions after the first hour of the rite. Some were sent to the gathering area at the church entrance. There a few sat quietly, sizing up the others. A small boy about four dressed in a man-tailored suit showed off his skill at kung-fu with a boy about twice his size.

Mr. Weldeghiorghis, who provided much background on his country and visiting bishop, is a customer service representative at Grady Hospital. He has been in the U.S. since 1982, and has worked at the hospital for nine years.

In the early 1990s he returned to Eritrea and married Letehaimanot which means “daughter of faith.” When the couple returned to Atlanta, Father Richard Kieran, IHM pastor, officiated at a renewal of their vows on March 7, 1992. They have a daughter, Tsion, 27 months.

He and a few others from the Eritrean community took Bishop Yohannes to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Nov. 13. There they encountered parishioners from St. Anthony’s Church in Atlanta, who had “lots of questions” for the bishop. Before they parted, Bishop Yohannes gave them his blessing in Geez.

Earlier Nov. 13 he concelebrated the 10 o’clock Mass with Father Kieran. This gave him the opportunity to thank the pastor and parishioners for being hospitable and generous to his people. Again, he gave the final blessing in Geez.

According to Mr. Weldeghiorghis, the Eritrean community is scattered around Atlanta. In number about 120 families, including children, live in the Buford Highway and Lindbergh station areas, in downtown Atlanta, and in Clarkston and Lithonia. They began worshiping at IHM while Father Terry Kane was pastor.