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The Ethiopian Catholic Church started its operation in
Gambella in the 1990s. There were 8 Catholic Church dioceses in
the whole Ethiopia. In the Ethiopian Catholic Church
administrative structure, Gambella area was under the diocese of
the Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma-Bonga. As Gambella region is
a first evangelization area there is a big need of pastoral work
and as it is one of the four backward regions in Ethiopia there
is also a big need of social and development interventions.
However due to the farness of the region from Addis Abeba and
also from Jimma the Catholic Church could not fully address its
mission in the area.
Therefore to better represent the Catholic Church in
Gambella and part of Illubabor zone the establishment of one
more diocese was found important. Hence the Holy See declared
the launching of the Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella in
November 2000. Since the establishment of the new prefecture
the Catholic Church giving much attention to evangelization is
actively involving itself in social and development activities
in Gambella region as
well as Illubabor zone of Oromiya region as its mission
is to promote integral human development.
Extent
The
Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella comprises all the Gambella
Region and large part of Illubabor Zone in Oromiya Region.
Approximate Figures:
Area: 50,000 Sq. Km Population: 1,255,000
Catholics: 6,800
Ordinary:
VERY REVEREND
MGR. ANGELO
MORESCHI
Birth Place: Nave (Brescia)
Italy
Birth Date: June 13,
1952
Ordained Priest: October 2,
1982
Nominated Prefect Apostolic: November 16, 2000
Addresses
Gambella
P.O.Box
210, Gambella
Tel:
00.251.047.551.08.16
/551.06.65
Fax:
00.251.047.551.08.17
E-Mail:
Amoreschi@ethionet.et
Gambella
Catholic Secretariat
Head
Office: P.O.Box 180 and/or 210,
Gambella
Tel:
00.251.047.551.06.66
Fax:
00.251.047.551.08.17
E-Mail:
Amoreschi@ethionet.et
Coordinator: Ato Daniel Kebede
Special
Activities of the Diocese
§
Formation of the new emerging communities in the rural villages
of Gambella through teaching, preaching and conducting
catechumen and catechist trainings.
§
Formation of the youth to become good citizens of the country
in the Don Bosco youth center, Gambella.
§
Giving service for Sudanese Catholic Communities in the Refugee
camps which are located in Punyido and Bonga towns in Gambella
region.
§
Coordinating and implementing various social and development
projects in different sectors i.e. in Education, Health, Water
Development and Agriculture.
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