Statement from Bishop Burbidge on the death of four
Catholic Relief Services employees in Ethiopian jet crash

We learned yesterday that four dedicated employees of Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. Bishops’ international relief and development agency, were among the 157 people who tragically lost their lives when an Ethiopian jet crashed shortly after takeoff.

Along with the faithful of our diocese, I pray for those who lost their lives in this tragedy and ask God to comfort their loved ones. We pray especially for the family and friends of Getnet Alemayehu, Mulusew Alemu, Sintayehu Aymeku and Sara Chalachew. We also pray for their colleagues and all associated with Catholic Relief Services.

While we mourn the loss of these Catholic Relief Services employees, we also thank God for the generous contributions these four individuals made to the humanitarian mission of the Catholic Church. Their work was an extension of Christ’s mercy to the vulnerable and needy. May God grant eternal rest to them and all the faithful departed.