Dutch bishop in Ethiopia

[PILGRIMSPLAZA]

http://212.77.1.245/news_services/press/vis/dinamiche/e1_en.htm - OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS - VATICAN CITY, 23 JUL 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed: Fr. Theodorus van Ruijven C.M., apostolic prefect of Jimma-Bonga, Ethiopia, and apostolic administrator of Nekemte, Ethiopia, as apostolic vicar of Nekemte (area 98,972, population 6,501,000, Catholics 45,000, priests 32, religious 48). The bishop-elect was born in Rijswijk, Holland in 1938 and ordained a priest in 1964.

Is this on topic? The story goes that Saint James's message travelled from the Holy Land to Galicia not only by boat but also over land along the African shore of the Mediterranean. Ethiopia was an important station with an large Christian community. Another story tells about the Arc of the Covenant being kept in Axum and even today priests carry Saint James's Tau-staff in procession. A former colleague brought me the head of such a Tau-staff from Ethiopia; see picture below. You'll understand that I've a lot to ask bishop Van Ruijven when he visits his place of birth at Rijswijk in the Greater The Hague area!

For our Dutch readers:
- http://www.katholieknederland.nl/actual ... r2009.html
- Opnieuw Nederlandse bisschop benoemd in Ethiopië
- http://www.katholieknederland.nl/actual ... r2009.html
- Ethiopische Kerk toont Ark van het Verbond
- http://www.rorate.com/nws_print.php?t=r ... s&id=56032
- Pater Theo van Ruijven benoemd tot bisschop in Ethiopië

More on the tau in Georgiana's Gems #4 Santiago's tau staff on pilgrim-books/topic4589.html?hilit=Tau#p25560