Four Catholic aid workers among victims of Ethiopian air crash

Among the 157 people from 35 countries, who lost their lives in yesterday's tragic Ethiopian Airlines crash, were four employees of Catholic Relief Services: Sara Chalachew, Getnet Alemayehu, Sintayehu Aymeku, and Mulusew Alemu. The four were on their way to a training session in Nairobi, Kenya.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state wrote: "Having learned with sadness of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash, His Holiness Pope Francis offers prayers for the deceased from various countries and commends their souls to the mercy of almighty God. Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences to their families, and upon all who mourn this tragic loss he invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength,"

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent the following letter to the Most Reverend Gregory John Mansour, who serves as the chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services.

Dear Bishop Mansour,

It was with great sadness that I learned of the deaths of four of our esteemed colleagues from Catholic Relief Services who were on the airplane that crashed on Sunday, March 10, 2019.

I, along with my brother bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, join together with the entire CRS family, especially CRS Ethiopia and our EARO colleagues, in mourning the tragic loss of Sara Chalachew, Getnet Alemayehu, Sintayehu Aymeku, and Mulusew Alemu. Their service to the poor and their accompaniment of the marginalized stand as a great witness to Christ and His love for us all.

Please know that I have asked all our brother bishops here in the United States to pray for the repose of the souls of Sara, Getnet, Sintayehu, and Mulusew, and we will especially do so at the upcoming meeting of the USCCB Administrative Committee this week. May the consolation of the Saviour's embrace be now a source of comfort to their loved ones and co-workers on this difficult and painful day.

United in prayer and vigil for the Risen Lord, I remain,

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops