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:  1,323,000            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:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

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:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Coordinator:                Ato Daniel Kebede