HISTORICAL NOTES AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In l970 the present territory of the Vicariate of Meki was put under the care of the Consolata Fathers Missionary Institute.   It was taken from the Vicariate Apostolic of Harar.

March 6th 1980:  The Territory was erected to a Prefecture Apostolic, headed by Fr. John Bonzanino, IMC as Apostolic Administrator.

December 8th 1981: Abba Yohannes Weldegiorgis  (from the Eparchy of Adigrat- Tigray) was appointed Prefect Apostolic, taking over the See on 6th April 1982.

January 25th 1992:  The Prefecture was elevated to the Vicariate Apostolic of Meki and the Prefect Mgr. Yohannes Weldegiorgis was elevated to the dignity of Bishop.

Extent:

The Vicariate includes the Zones of Arsi, Bale and East Showa, Formerly called "Haycochina Butajira Awraja" and part of the "Yerer Kereyu Awraja", the right hand area of the Awash River, including Wonji   area Sugar Plantation. 

Approximate figures:

Area: 156,600 Sq. Kms.    Population:  6,338,000    Catholics:  23,578

Catechumens:  2,364    Catechists: Full-time:  41, Part-time:  71

ORDINARY

H.E. ABUNE  ABRAHAM DESTA

Birth Place:                                      Sebeya (Gulomakada)
Birth Date:                                       March 21, 1951
Ordained Priest:                              April 20, 1980
Nominated Bishop:                          January 29, 2003
Titular Bishop of  Orrea di Aninico
Consecrated Bishop in Meki:           May 10, 2003

Address:

Meki Catholic Church 

P. O. Box 43, Meki (East Shewa)
Tel: 00.251.0221. 18.00.54 (meal times)
       00.251.0221. 18.07.63 (Office + Residence)
Fax: 00.251.0221. 18.09.30
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
P.O.Box: 12789, Addis Ababa
Tel: 00.251.0112.79.28.15
       00.251.0112.79.16.46
       00.251.0112.79.40.52
            Addis Abeba

Curia officials:

Vicar Delegate & Administrator: Abba John Monti, IMC
Assistant Administrator: Abba Dessalegn Alemayehu
Curia Chancellor: Abba Gobezayehu Getachew

Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator:  
Abba Gianfranco Magalini

Diocesan Liturgy & Ecumenism:  
Abba Fr. Vito Cicoria

Meki Catholic Secretariat

Secretary General:                   Abba John Monti, IMC
Assistant Secretary General:  Abba Temesgan Kebede
Region: Oromiya
Zone: East Showa
Wereda:  Dugda
Kebele: 01
Tel:  00.251.022.118.01.93
Fax: 00.251.022.118.01.93
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ecclesiastical Tribunal

Bishop                                              Moderator
Fr. Claudio Altieri, MCCJ                    Judicial Vicar
Abba W/Michael Hafebo                   Collegiate Judge
Fr. Eyasu Dalu                                  Collegiate Judge
Fr. Mario Robustellini, SDB                Notary-actuaries
Abba Woldeyesus Woldegiorgis       Collegiate Judge

Presbyteral Council:

Abba  John Monti IMC
Abba Gianfranco Magalini
Abba Dessalegn Alemayehu
Abba Weldemeskel G/yohannes
Abba Angelo Antolini Cap.
Abba Oscar Clavijo IMC
Abba Tesfaye Bishamo
Abba Gobezayehu Getachew
 

Diocesan Pastoral Council:

Priests                      12
Brothers                      1
Sisters:                     11
Laity                          11

Laity Councils:

Diocesan Laity Council:     Office - Meki
Parish Laity Councils:        in each Parish.

Diocesan Laity Coordinator:

Abba Temesgen Kebede

Diocesan Gender Coordinator:

Zinash Worku

Diocesan Representative for Communication:

        Abba Temesgen Kebed
        Ato Jimma Obse

Diocesan Representative for Peace and Justice:

Wubalem Solomon

Diocesan Youth Coordinator:

Abba Ashenafi Tufa

Diocesan Cathechetical Center

Run by: Mantova Fide Donum
Region: Oromiya
Zone    East Showa
Wereda: Shashemene
Kebele : Gighesa
P.O.Box:  29, Shashemene

Tel:  00.251..046.110.03.77

Diocesan Minor Seminary
Kidanemeheret Minor Seminary
Rector:   Abba Abraham Abera

Region:  Oromiya
Zone :  East Showa
Wereda Dugda

Kebele : 01
P.O.Box: 43
Tel:  00.251.022.118.01.03

Diocesan Major Seminary

Kessatie Berhan Major Seminary of Meki
Rector:  Abba Woldemeskel G/yohannes
Region: Addis Abeba
Kefle Ketema:  Kolfe Keranio
Wereda: 25 
Kebele:  13/14
P. O. Box 12789, Addis Abeba
Tel:  00.251.011.279.16.46/279.28.15
Fax: 00.251.011.279.17.66

Diocesan Sisters (Formation House)
Run by: Doughters of Mary Immaculate, DMI
5 Sisters and 8 aspirants
Region :  Oromiya
Zone :  East Showa
Wereda :  Dugda
kebele 01
P.O.Box:  43, Meki
Tel: 00.251.022.118.00.93
       00.251.022.118.00.92