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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.
11th November 1984 (1977 e.c.) Abune Sebhat-Leab resigned.
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
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Presbyterial Council
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College of Eparchial Consulters
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Marriage Tribunal
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Liturgical/Ecumenical Commission
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Commission for the Biblical Apostolate
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Commission for Catechetics
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Council for the Laity
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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
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