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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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