H.E. Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin
Eparch of Adigrat

Abba Tesfay Lemlem
Secretary General
Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat

Parish of The Holy Saviour Adigrat

Tsinseta Senior Secondary School, Adigrat

St. Anna Clinic

Soil Conservation

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HISTORICAL NOTES AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION It is worth recalling that Abba Tobia Giorgis Gebregziabeher, who came from Kemkem in Dembya, was consecrated in Rome as the Titular Bishop of Adulis on 24th June 1788. Prior to his episcopal consecration he was obliged to take an oath that he would preserve the Ethiopian rite. Before dying of the plague in Cairo on 7th May 1801, he had worked in the region north of Adigrat and near Debre Damo. He was the forerunner of Mgr. Justin de Jacobis, C.M. Mgr. de Jacobis arrived in Adwa on 29th October 1839 with responsibility for the newly established Apostolic Prefecture of Abyssinia.  As Adwa was not a satisfactory location for an administrative centre, he eventually obtained land outside of Adigrat at Guol'a in 1844. While still threatened by persecution, Mgr de Jacobis at last found a safe haven at Alitena in 1845. On 19th June 1847 the Prefecture was raised to the status of the Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia. Mgr de Jacobis was only consecrated a bishop by Mgr. G. Massaia, O.F.M.Cap. near Massawa on the evening of 7th January 1849. During his whole apostolic life Mgr de Jacobis lived under the constant threat of persecution. Eventually, he died on 31st July 1860, and even afterwards the priests and faithful continued for many years to live under the constant of either threatened or renewed persecutions. Mgr de Jacobis' legacy to the Catholic Church of the Vicariate of Abyssinia was twofold: the use of the Ethiopian rite, as repeatedly authorized by the Holy See; a reliance, for the greater part, on local Ethiopian priests. One of Mgr de Jacobis' faithful companions was Abba Gebremichael, who was beatified as a martyr by Pope Pius XI on 31st October 1926. Let us pray that he will soon be canonized! For his part, after being beatified on 25th June 1939, Pope Paul VI canonized Mgr de Jacobis on 26th October 1975. Once the Apostolic Prefecture of Eritrea was established in September 1894, the Vicariate of Abyssinia continued to exist in the north of Ethiopia, even though there was no bishop. In the aftermath of subsequent political events the Apostolic Prefecture of Tigray was substituted in 1937 for the Vicariate of Abyssinia. Finally, in 1961, the Eparchy of Adigrat was erected in place of the former Prefecture of Tigray and Abune Hailemariam Kahsay was appointed the first Eparch. The establishment of the Eparchy of Adigrat was a culminating point in the jurisdiction's long history of persecutions and evictions. That it should have survived at all can be considered a miracle, thanks to the intercessions of St. Justin de Jacobis and Blessed Abba Gebremichael. The diocesan priests, of what is at present the Eparchy of Adigrat, preserved a deep devotion to the blessed martyr, whom they considered to be their exemplar and model. In 1925 eight of the priests founded a spiritual association under his patronage and named it: "Mahber Betsue Gebremichael." This association of priests' aim was intended to fortify them spiritually during their apostolic lives and to give them the assurance of continued prayers and Masses after their deaths. Since its foundation the "Blessed Gebremichael Association of Priests of Adigrat Eparchy" has witnessed continuous growth. Today there are no less than 59 living members (priests and Bishops), who are either working in this Eparchy or elsewhere in Ethiopia. Among its 30 deceased members can be counted Abune Hailemariam Kahsay, Abune Sebhat-Leab Worku, Abune Asrate-Mariam Yemiru and Abune Yohannes Woldeghiorgis. Historical Events 20th February 1961 (1953 e.c.) The establishment of the Eparchy of Adigrat:                                    Abune  Hailemariam Kahsay became the first Eparch. 17th April 1969  (1961 e.c.)    Consecration of the cathedral of the Holy Saviour, Adigrat. 11th October 1970 (1963 e.c.)  Opening of the newly built diocesan Major         Seminary, Adigrat. 25th November 1970 (1963  e.c.) Abune Hailemariam died. 19th September 1971 (1964 e.c.) The episcopal consecration of Abune Sebhat-Leab  Worku. 26th October 1975 (1968 e.c.)  The canonization of St. Justin de Jacobis, C.M. 12th October 1983 (1976 e.c.)  The Major Seminary became affiliated to the Pontifical "Urbaniana" University, Rome. 11th November 1984 (1977 e.c.)   Abune Sebhat-Leab resigned. 10th February 1985 (1977 e.c.)   The episcopal consecration of Abune Kidanemariam Teklehaimanot. 28th Janauary 1991 (1983 e.c.)   Abune Sebhat-Leab Worku died. 11th November 2001 (1994 e.c.)  The episcopal consecration of Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin. 4th December 2004 (1997 e.c.)    Inauguration of "Tsenseta Senior Secondary   School's" building at its new site, Adigrat. Canonical Structures of the Eparchy Curial Officials Finance Committee Presbyterial Council College of Eparchial Consulters Marriage Tribunal Liturgical/Ecumenical Commission Commission for the Biblical Apostolate Commission for Catechetics Council for the Laity Pastoral Councils at diocesan and parish levels (in preparation) Seminaries Since 1844 there has always been a seminary for the education and formation of the local clergy in this area. The locations have changed because of eviction and persecution: Adwa, Guol"a, Alitena, Kudahanay, Adigrat. Today, in addition to the seminarians of the Eparchy, seminarians of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Missionaries of Africa attend their lectures in the Major Seminary. Since 1970 up to 2004 those seminarians who completed their studies and were ordained for the Eparchy of Adigrat:  67, For Elsewhere: 14, Total : 81 The actual number of seminarians attending the Major Seminary in 2005 is 53. For the Eparchy:                         19 For the Salsians:                         23 For the Missionaries of Africa:     11 The Minor Seminary:                    57 The Pre-Seminary: Alitena:          23 The Eparchy of Adigrat covers the whole National Regional State of Tigray and Zone 2 of the National Regional State of Afar. Approximate figures: AREAS:                     132,000 sq.km. POPULATION:       4,556,000                                                               CATHOLICS:              21,485 ORDINARY: H.E. Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin Birth Place:                       Alitena Birth Date:                        January 8,1953 Ordained Priest:               April 20, 1980 Appointed Bishop:            November 16, 2001 Consecrated at Adigrat:   January 20, 2002 Residence:                       Eparchy of Adigrat Addresses P.O.Box  8, Adigrat  Tel:   00.251.034.445.21.38/034.445.24.58 Fax:  00.251.034.445.26.30 E-Mail:  ceparad@ethionet.et Emeritus: H.E. Abune Kidane-Mariam Teklehaimanot Birth Place:                       Addibtsuo Birth Date:                        10.09.1993 Apponted Bishop:             11.11.1984 Consecrated at Adigrat:   10.02.1985 Residence:                        Eparchy of Adigrat   Curia Officials: Vicar General:                          Abba Tesfay Hadgu Chancellor:                              Abba Tesfay Lemlem Financial Administrator:           Abba Dietmar Lenfers, M.Afr.   Finance Committee: Abba Dietmar Lenfers, M.Afr.  (Diocesan Finance Officer) Abba Mesghena Woldu Abba Tesfay Hadgu, Abba Tesfay Lemlem   Presbyteral Council: Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin          Abba Yohannes Gheday Abba Tesfay Hadgu                        Abba Teum Berhe  (Secretary) Abba Dietmar Lenfers, M.Afr.         Abba Mussie Dory Abba Tesfay Lemlem                      Qeshi Gebretsadik Gebrehiwet Abba Teweldemedhin Hagos         Abba Tesfamichael Seyoum Abba Weldegabriel Kahsay (Asst. Sec.)           Abba Tesfay Zigta Abba Mesghenna Woldu                Abba Thomas Weldeselassie Fr. John Samala, SDB                     Abba Weldeselassie Tesfay   College of Eparchial Consultors: Abba Tesfay Hadgu                        Abba Teweldemedhin Hagos Abba Dietmar Lenfers, M.Afr.         Abba Weldegabriel Kahsay   Abba Yohannes Gheday                 Abba Mesghena Woldu Abba Tesfay Lemlem   Marriage Tribunal: Abba Tesfay Hadgu:               Judicial Vicar & President Judge Abba Tesfay Lemlem:             Collegiate Judge Abba Teweldemedhin Hagos  Collegiate Judge Abba Teum Berhe:                  Promoter of Justice  & Defender of the Bond Abba Kevin O'Mahony, M.Afr.  Notary   Liturgy/Ecumenism Commission: Qeshi Gebretsadik Gebrehiwet Abba Hagos Shifare Abba Tesfay Hadgu  Abba José Bandres, M.Afr. Abba Teum Berhe   Biblical Apostolate Commission: Abba Mussie Dory                          Fr. Gaetano Cazolla, M.Afr. Sr. Abeba Debessay, MVI              Sr. Desta Kahsay, MPF Abba Thomas Woldeselassie   Catechetics Commission: Abba Weldegabriel Kahsay            Abba Tesfay Kidane, SDB Abba Weldegabriel Abraha            Abba Hagos Ghidey Sr. Leteselassie Alemayehu, MPF   Sr. Abrehet Ghebray, MVI Abba Tesfay Hawku                       Sr. Medhin Tesfay, DC   Pastoral Council:  (Underway)   Lay Councils Co-ordinator: Abba Teum Tesfay   Youth Coordinators: Abba Teum Tesfay Abba Iyassu Tessema, C.M.   Laity Council of the Eparchy: Chairman:        Ato Fessehaye Weldu Secretary:        Ato Gebreanenia Tesfamariam c/o P.O.Box 8    Adigrat, Tel: 00.251.034.445.00.25 /445.24.59   Major Seminary, Adigrat:       (Affiliated to the Pontifical University Urbaniana, Rome) Rector:  Abba Teum Berhe Seminarians: 19 diocesan candidates P.O.Box 5  Adigrat Tel: 00.251.034.445.22.38 Fax: 00.251.034.445.26.30 E-Mail:  majsemad@ethionet.et Minor Seminary, Adigrat: Rector:  Abba Ghebregziabiher Yohannes P.O.Box 8  Adigrat Tel:  00.251.034-445.22.03 /445.25.80 Seminarians: 60 Pre-Seminary (Alitena): Rector:  Abba Iyob Kahsay Seminarians: 20 Alitena,  c/o P.O.Box 8  Adigrat   Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS) Head Office:                    Adigrat P.O.Box 163   Adigrat Tel: 00.251.034.445.24.35/445.00.28/29 Fax: 00.251.034-445.28.29 E-Mail:  adcs@ethionet.et Secretary General:  Abba Tesfay Lemlem Tel: 00.251.034-445.30.30 P.O.Box  8, Adigrat Pastoral Department:       Abba Weldegabriel Kahsay   Tel: 00.251.034.445.26.33 Branch:                            Mekele   P.O.Box 40, Mekele Tel: 00.251.034-441.08.22/23/24/25       00.251.034.440.00.29 Fax: 00.251.034.440.82.62 E-Mail: adcs.Mekele@ethionet.et Area Coordinator:            Abba Tesfamichael Seyoum Tel: 00.251.034.441.09.37 Formation Houses: Daughters of Charity Aspirants (Mekele, Alitena,) St. Vincent  House, P.O.Box  69,  Mekele Tel: 00.251.034.440.01.48 St. Louise House P.O. Box 50,  Mekele Tel: 00.251.034.440.92.96 Daughters of St. Anna Aspirants (Edaga Hamus) P.O.Box 273,  Adigrat Tel: 00.251.034.440.86.07 Missionaries of Africa 1. Aspirants (Wukro) P.O.Box   45,  Wukro Tel: 00.251.034.443.01.37 2. Philosophy Students, St. Paul's Formation House P.O.Box  310,  Adigrat Tel: 00.251. 034.445.35.59 Salesians of Don Bosco 1. Aspirants-Seminary (Mekele)  P.O.Box  8,  Mekele Tel:  00.251.034.441.07.62  (Seminary)        00.251.034.441.07.63  (Residence)        00.251.034.441.07.61  (School) 2. Residential Scholasticate, (Gol'a) P.O.Box 6, Adigrat Tel: 00.251.034.445.61.02/45.16.02 Sisters of St. Lucy Filippini 1. Aspirants (Adigrat, Saessi) Postulancy, Noviciate, Junior Professed (Adigrat) P.O. Box 12   Adigrat Tel: 00.251.034.445.22.68  (Residence) 2. Aspirants (Gol'a) P.O.Box 12   Adigrat Tel: 00.251.034.445.07.28 (Gol'a)        00.251.034.445.04.40 (School) Ursuline Sisters  1. Aspirants (Adigrat) P.O.Box 280,  Adigrat   Tel: 00.251.034.445.31.34 2. Postulancy, (Wukro) P.O.Box 29,  Wukro Tel: 00.251.034.443.01.48