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ETHIOPIAN CATHOLIC DIOCESES

Archdioceses of Addis Ababa

Eparchy of Adigrat

Eparchy of Emdibir

Vicariate of Awasa

Vicariate of Harar

Vicariate of Meki

Vicariate of Nekemte

Vicariate of Sodo Hosanna

Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella

Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga

 

Mgr. Theo Van Ruyven, c.m
Prefect Apostolic of
Jimma-Bonga

 

Nutrition Rehabilitation Center

 

KG Rehabilitation, Jimma

 

Women In Development
Food Preparation Trainees

 

 

 

Map of Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga
Historical Notes and Background Information
Parishes of Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga

                  

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HISTORICAL NOTES AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga was established by the Apostolic Decree "Ad expeditus" on June 1 0, 1994 with territory taken from the Apostolic Vicariate of Nekemete. The first Apostolic Prefect from 1994 until 1998 was Msgr. Berhane Yesus D. Souraphiel C.M., now the archbishop of Ethiopia.

In 1998, Msgr. Theo van Ruyven was appointed as the new Apostolic Prefect. The territory of the Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga comprises parts of the regions of Oromiya and SNNPR. Within those regions lie three zones, Bench Maji, Kaffa and Jimma. This territory covers roughly 57,000 square kilometers and has about 4.5 million inhabitants. About half of this population is Ethiopian Orthodox, half Muslim with small minorities of Protestants, Catholics, and animists. Within the territory, there are numerous tribes and languages.

During the mid 1970's the Dutch Lazarists were taking care of the pastoral tasks in the area. They also built and run elementary schools, health centers, and an agricultural resettlement program. In 1978, during the communist regime, all expatriate missionaries were expelled from the Kaffa zone, much larger at that time, and the government confiscated all church properties. After the communist period, since 1991, parts of the confiscated properties have been returned to the church. Gradually, the pastoral and development activities have been resumed. The Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat is the Development office, which was born from the need of the Prefecture to help the local peoples in other than pastoral ways. We work closely with the Ethiopian Government on development issues.

II.  EXTENT:

The geographic coverage of the Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga includes; in the region of the Southern Nation and Nationalities of Peoples Regional State of Ethiopia (SNNPRS), the whole Kaffa zone, Shaka zone, Bench Maji zone, Jimma and some parts of Oromia bordering: the Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella and Apostolic Vicariate of Nekemte, the Apostolic vicariate of Soddo Hosanna, and the Eparchy of Emdibir until Gibe River.

 

           

Area:  57,000 sq. kms population:  4,583,000            Catholics: 16,840

 

Languages spoken Amharic, Kafi-Nono, Oromifa, Bench, and others

Location of the Diocese

Jimma is located 350km southwest of Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia. Jimma is one of the largest and oldest cities of Ethiopia. In the past Jimma was the economical and historical center for the southwestern part of the country. Population of the town is estimated to be 130,000, with very rapid growth.

The development office covers 3 zones, Jimma, Kaffa and Bench Maji and 32 wereda. These people speak many different languages; the main languages are Amharic, Kaffi Nono, Oromifa and Bench.

 

Special Activities of the Diocese

The Jimma-Bonga Catholic Secretariat works in the following areas:

WID/GAD (Women in development/gender and development),
HIV/AIDS,
Education,
Health,
Agriculture and Reproductive Health Project.

There are currently around 45 different development projects operating across the region. Within those categories we attempt to facilitate projects, which will reach as many people as possible, are sustainable and participatory having a lasting effect. We believe in capacity building to help people to help themselves to build, create, manage and take pride in their communities. It works with the poor in communities where there is an identified need. It works both with Catholic and non Catholic communities: with both Catholic and non- Catholic Organizations. We encourage community members to come to our office to ask for our help in facilitating their projects. We in turn help them by either providing funding or looking for outside sources of funds. We have in the past and are currently involved in many successful programs thanks to all the organizations who have given funds to support our work.

Related Information

The region is one of the largest coffee producers in Ethiopia, so the people have been particularly affected by the recent fall in coffee price. On average a farmer's income has halved in the last 3 years. Although the region does not generally have problems with drought, it suffers from a "green famine". This means that although the land is fertile, and there is usually enough rain, the people are unable to produce enough food because of reasons such as poor farming techniques and planning. The lack of market outlets and infrastructure means there is no incentive to increase production. In the region, there is a general a lack of investment.

Vision

A prefecture where poverty is overcome through people both valuing, and having access to, food, clean water, health markets and education.

Purpose

To increase the quality of life of people in the prefecture through sustainable, integrated and cooperative development activities.

Our Values and Culture

We seek for our projects to be:

Sustainable
Participatory
Cost effective
difference Creating
gender equality

 

We seek for our office to be:

Accountable
Collaborative
Cost effective
Fair
Transparent

ORDINARY:

Very Reverend Mgr. Theo Van Ruyven, C.M.

Birth Place:                                   Rijswijk, Netherlands
Birth Date:                                   May 22, 1938
Ordained Priest:                            March 19, 1964
Nominated Prefect Apostolic:         
July 9, 1998

Address:

P. O. Box 202, Jimma, Ethiopia
Tel: 00.251.1.047.111.02 .83
Fax: 00.251.1.047.111.06.35
E-mail: apejibo@yahoo.com
E-mail: prefecture@ethionet.et

Pro-prefect
: Abba Markos G/Medhin CM
Tel: 00.251.1.011.156.59.87

 Jimma-Bonga Catholic Secretariat

 Head Office:        
                              P. O. Box 376

                             Tel/Fax
:00.251.1.047.111.04.34
                             E-mail:
prefecture@ethionet.et
 

Secretary General: -   
 Rev.Abba Alemayehu Woldemichael CM
 
Tel:  00.251.1.047.111.04.34
 
E-Mail: alemayehuw2005@yahoo.com
 

Development Co-coordinator:
Ato Yoseph W/Michael 
Tel: 00.251.1.047.111.04.34

Pastoral Coordinator:       
                                       Rev. Abba Kochito G/Michael
                                       Tel:  00.251.1.047.331.06.55

Formation House:

 

Major Seminary:

Director: Abba Matthews H/Michael CM
Spiritual Director: Abba Abinet Abebe CM

Region:
Addis Abeba
Kifle Ketema:
Kolfe Keraniyo
Kebele:
01
P.O.Box
: 5934,Addis Ababa
Tel
:  00.251.1.011.279.48.92/93
 

 
 

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Please click on one of the name of the Parishes below to get more information about the respective Parish.

Basic information about the Parishes in the
Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga (2006) - Approximate figures

No

Name of Parish & Foundation Year

Parish Priest

Location

No. of Catholics

1

Pro-Cathedral Lideta Mariam, 2001

Abba Asfaw Fellke

Jimma

 

2

Kidane Meheret, 1919

Abba Alemayehu Haile

Bonga

 

3

St. Gabriel

Abba Taddle Pious

Muti

 

4

Church of Jesus

Abba Mulugeta Berhane

Bita-Woshi

 

4

St. George, 1935

Abba Aklilu W/Ghiorgis

Abera-Pakko

 

5

Tsenseta Mariam (Immaculate Conception)

Abba Alemayehu Antonios

Aman

 

 

 

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©2005 Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat
http://www.ecs.org.et/