A Historical Background and Profile of The Catholic Archdiocese of Adiss Ababa
Ethiopic Metropolitanate sui juris of Addis Abeba
The catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa was established by the Apostolic constitution
“Quod Venerabilis” on February 20th,1961 in place of the Apostolic Exarchate which had been
erected on October 31st, 1951 with its first Eparch His Excellency Abune Haile Mariam Kahsay.
Addis Ababa is a Metropolitan See and His Eminence Cardinal Abune Berhaneyesus
Souraphile, CM is the Metropolitan Archbishop. Other Bishops/Archbishops who have served
the Archdiocese in the past are the following:
Abune Hailel Mariam Kahsay
Abune Asrate Mariam Yemiru
Cardinal Paulos Tsadua
It took some time for the Vicariate of the Oromo, which covered a vast area, to establish
roots. Initially those roots included Finfinni (1867/68), Harar (1881) and Awalle ( 1884 ). By
1890 there were only 9 parishes and one of these was Ankober. Within a relatively short period
of just over one hundred years, however, the original vicariate, after having been subsequently
divided into numerous jurisdictions, had 142 parishes. Initially, the Vicariate of Abyssinia
opened parishes at Dese, Gonder, Mendida and later Kobbo. However after revision of
ecclesiastical boundaries, now lie within other ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
Prior to the establishment of the Apostolic Prefecture of Eritrea there were 28 parishes in the
Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia. After the creation of Prefecture of Eritrea, only 3 parishes
remained in the Vicariate of Abyssinia. Later, the Vicariate of Abyssinia was renamed the
Eparchy of Adigrat and today has 33 parishes. Apostolic outreach in this particular territory,
however, was restricted after World War II when a legal division was imposed, which assigned
"closed" and "open" areas. The Catholic Church, therefore, was not allowed to conduct any
pastoral ministry in the "closed" areas. So, after World War II, and as a consequence of a brief
colonial occupation, the Catholic Church in Ethiopia was in a state of disarray. Pending the
stabilisation of the situation, the priests were moved from Adigrat to Addis Ababa. One of them
was Abba Hailemariam Kahsay. Subsequently, when the Apostolic Exarchate was created on 31 st
October 1951 , Abba Hailemariam Kahsay was consecrated as its first Eparch. At that time, since
he was the only Catholic Bishop in Ethiopia, his jurisdiction covered the whole country.
Many of the religious congregations in Ethiopia today were called here by Abba Hailemariam
Kahsay and this gave new life to some vicariates in the south. It was also as a result of his
endeavours that the Ethiopian Hierarchy was established in 1961. Thereafter Abune Hailemariam
Kahsay returned to Adigrat, which was his first Eparchy and where he died in November 1970.
His tomb is in the cathedral.
It is worth recalling that through the Vicariate of Abyssinia the Catholic Church exercised deep
influence and made a lasting contribution to Ethiopian Christianity. Indeed, it became the
homeland of two saints, Saint Justin de Jacobis and Blessed Abba Gebre-Michael, priest and
martyr, who came from Gojam, at that time within that jurisdiction.
1839: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Abyssinia (from Apostolic Vicariate of Syria, Egypt,
Arabia and Cyprus)
1846.05.04: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Galla
1847: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia
1937.03.25: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Addis Abeba / Neanthopolitan(us) (Latin) (lost
territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Dessié and Apostolic Prefecture of Gondar)
1951.10.31: Promoted as Apostolic Exarchate of Addis Abeba / Neanthopolitan(us) (Latin) (gained
territory from the suppressed Apostolic Prefecture of Dessié, Apostolic
Prefecture of Endeber and Apostolic Prefecture of Gondar)
1961.02.20: Promoted as Metropolitanate sui juris of Addis Abeba / Neanthopolitan(us) (Latin)
2003.11.25: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Emdeber
2015.01.19: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Bahir Dar–Dessie
Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, C.M. (72)Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel,
C.M. (72)Permalink
(1999.07.07 – ...)
Cardinal-Priest of S. Romano Martire
Metropolitan of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia)
President of Ethiopian and Eritrean Episcopal Conference
President of Council of the Ethiopian Church
SUB TUUM PRÆSIDIUM
Born: 1948.07.14 (Tchela Claka, Ethiopia)
Ordained Priest:1976.07.04
Consecrated Bishop: 1998.01.25
Created Cardinal: 2015.02.14
Prefect Apostolic of Jimma–Bonga (Ethiopia) (1994 – 1997.11.07)
Titular Bishop of Bita (1997.11.07 – 1999.07.07)
Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1997.11.07 – 1999.07.07)
President of Council of the Ethiopian Church (1998 – ...)
Apostolic Administrator of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1998.06.16 – 1999.07.07)
President of Ethiopian and Eritrean Episcopal Conference (1999 – ...)
Metropolitan of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1999.07.07 – ...)
President of Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (2014.07.24 – 2018.07.21)
Cardinal-Priest of S. Romano Martire (2015.02.14 [2015.10.18] – ...)
Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, C.M. (72)Bishop Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, C.M.
(72) (later Cardinal)Permalink
(Apostolic Administrator 1998.06.16 – 1999.07.07)
Cardinal Paulos TzaduaPermalink
(1977.02.24 – 1998.09.11)
Born: 1921.08.25 (Addifini, Ethiopia)
Ordained Priest:1944.03.12
Consecrated Bishop: 1973.05.20
Created Cardinal: 1985.05.25
Died: 2003.12.11 (Roma, Italy † 82)
Titular Bishop of Abila in Palæstina (1973.03.01 – 1977.02.24)
Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1973.03.01 – 1977.02.24)
President of Ethiopian and Eritrean Episcopal Conference (1976 – 1999)
Metropolitan of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1977.02.24 – 1998.09.11)
Cardinal-Priest of SS. Nome di Maria in Via Latina (1985.05.25 – 2003.12.11)
President of Council of the Ethiopian Church (1994 – 1998)
Archbishop Asrate Mariam YemmeruPermalink
(1961.04.09 – 1977.02.24)
Born: 1904.04.04
Ordained Priest:1934.06.11
Consecrated Bishop: 1958.07.06
Died: 1990.09.10 († 86)
Titular Bishop of Urima (1958.02.03 – 1961.04.09)
Bishop of Asmara of the Eritreans (Eritrea) (1958.02.03 – 1961.04.09)
Metropolitan of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1961.04.09 – 1977.02.24)
President of Ethiopian and Eritrean Episcopal Conference (1967 – 1976)
Apostolic Exarchs of Addis Abeba (Ethiopic Rite)
Bishop Hailé Mariam CahsaiPermalink
(1951.02.24 – 1961.02.19)
Born: 1895.04.15
Ordained Priest:1925.08.30
Consecrated Bishop: 1951.05.01
Died: 1970.11.24 († 75)
Titular Bishop of Sozusa in Libya (1951.02.24 – 1961.02.19)
Apostolic Exarch of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1951.02.24 – 1961.02.19)
Bishop of Adigrat of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1961.04.09 – 1970.11.24)
Vicars Apostolic of Addis Abeba (Ethiopic Rite)
Archbishop Giovanni Maria Emilio Castellani, O.F.M.Permalink
(1937.03.25 – 1945.12.13)
Born: 1888.04.13 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:1910.09.04
Consecrated Bishop: 1929.04.02
Died: 1953.08.30 († 65)
Archbishop of Rhodes (Greece) (1929.01.15 – 1937.03.25)
Vicar Apostolic of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1937.03.25 – 1945.12.13)
Apostolic Delegate to Italian East Africa (1937.03.25 – 1945.12.13)
Titular Archbishop of Perge (1937.03.25 – 1953.08.30)
Apostolic Nuncio to El Salvador (1945.12.13 – 1951.09.06)
Apostolic Nuncio to Guatemala (1945.12.13 – 1951.09.06)
Vicars Apostolic of Abyssinia (Ethiopic Rite)
Bishop Jean-Jacques Crouzet, C.M.Permalink
(1888.10.01 – 1896.01.16)
Born: 1849.04.01 (France)
Ordained Priest:1873.06.07
Consecrated Bishop: 1888.10.28
Died: 1933.01.08 († 83)
Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1888.10.01 – 1896.01.16)
Titular Bishop of Zephyrium (1888.10.01 – 1933.01.08)
Vicar Apostolic of Southern Madagascar (Madagascar) (1896.01.16 – 1913.05.20)
Vicar Apostolic of Fort-Dauphin (Madagascar) (1913.05.20 – 1933.01.08)
Bishop Jean-Marcel Touvier, C.M.Permalink
(1869.09.27 – 1888.08.04)
Born: 1825.10.14 (France)
Consecrated Bishop: 1870.05.01
Died: 1888.08.04 († 62)
Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1869.09.27 – 1888.08.04)
Titular Bishop of Olena (1869.11.29 – 1888.08.04)
Bishop Louis Bel, C.M.Permalink
(1865.07.11 – 1868.03.01)
Born: 1823.09.27 (France)
Consecrated Bishop: 1865.10.22
Died: 1868.03.01 († 44)
Titular Bishop of Agathopolis (1865.07.11 – 1868.03.01)
Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1865.07.11 – 1868.03.01)
Bishop Lorenzo Biancheri, C.M.Permalink
(1860.07.31 – 1864.09.11)
Born: 1804.12.31 (Italy)
Consecrated Bishop: 1853.10.02
Died: 1864.09.11 († 59)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1853.01.28 – 1860.07.31)
Titular Bishop of Lagania (1853.01.28 – 1864.09.11)
Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1860.07.31 – 1864.09.11)
Bishop Giustino Sebastiano Pasquale de Jacobis, C.M. (later Saint)Permalink
(1847 – 1860.07.31)
Born: 1800.10.09 (San Fele, Potenza, Italy)
Ordained Priest:1824.06.12
Consecrated Bishop: 1849.01.07
Died: 1860.07.31 (Zula, Eritrea † 59)
Beatified: 1939.06.25
Canonised: 1975.10.26
Prefect Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1839.03.10 – 1847)
Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1847 – 1860.07.31)
Titular Bishop of Nilopolis (1847.07.06 – 1860.07.31)
Prefects Apostolic of Abyssinia (Ethiopic Rite)
Fr. Giustino Sebastiano Pasquale de Jacobis, C.M. (later Bishop, Saint)Permalink
(1839.03.10 – 1847)
After the expulsion of Massaia in 1879, bishop Jarosseau was the first missionary to enter Shoa and
onlyon his way to Kaffa. His short stop in Addis Ababa, the new capital of the empire he made
arrangements for the estabilishment of missionary station there. The occasion was the presence in the
capital of many foreign diplomats, especially French. Jarosseau managed to snatch from Menelik the
permission to send a chaplain of the European colony. The chosen ppriest, Fr. Basil de Combrand,
arrived in Addis Ababa on the 22nd of July, 1904. His difficulties in the capital came not only from the
Coptic clergy, a thing which could be expected but also from the foreigners: English Protestants and
French Freemasons.
In 1907 the Emperor gave Fr. Basil a piece of land on which to build a chapel. This gave him the
possibility of receiving the native Catholics without needing to operate through the French Embassy. In
1918, Fr. Basil was replaced by Fr. Serafino. In 1932, the situation was sufficiently favorable to begin the
construction of a big church, the one which is the today’s Catholic Cathedral. Denied the permission to
build in the place they asked to, the church had to be built in the place where it now stands. The works of
construction was Marceline, one year later (1933). The Emperor followed the work and positively
encouraged them. Besides the Capuchins also with the Lazarists from the Vicariate of Abyssinia, aware of
the importance of the new capital, opened a procure in Addis Ababa a early as 1917, overcoming the
initial resistance of Mgr. Jarosseau, they established what later developed in to St. Mary’s parish and
school.
The parish of Kebbenna was opened in 1934 and was served by a local priest from Harar. At Kebbenna,
there were two small well built houses, and there was a beautiful church which functioned as a parish.
Attached to the Parish, there was the hospital called “Duca Degli Abruzzi” where the Canossian Sisters
had worked. Fr. Cassiano of Ronsecco was the chaplain at Kebbenna and saw to the spiritual needs of
those in the boys; orphanage there
With the wider freedom granted by the new ruler, Ras Tafari Makonen ( Emperor beginning in 1930),
Addis Ababa became the center of missionary expansion and the reference point for new foundations in
all the south of Ethiopia.
As for the official origin of the Catholic mission station of Arada, in his letter of March 11, 1931,
addressed to Fr. Melchior of Benisa and written from Harar, Msgr. Jarosseau informed the former that, at
the beginning of February, 1931, he had gone to Addis Ababa in order to pay his personal homage to
Emperor Haile Selassie, who had been crowned and had ascended to the imperial Throne of Ethiopia.
There he was received twice by the Emperor in a manner he did not expect. During the audience with the
Emperor one of the questions that Msgr. Jarosseau raised was the construction of a church is Addis
Ababa, though he was aware of the possible objections to such a project. However, to his surprise, the
response of the Emperor was that he consented to the construction of such a church without any
hesitation.
While Msgr. Jarosseau ad requested authorization to build a small church within the mission compound,
out of the public view, Emperor Haile Selassie authorized him to construct the church where it would be
visible so that it might be a worthy monument which would serve as a recommendation for the Catholics
who were quite numerous in the Empire by that time. The Emperor went even further, insisting on the
construction of a big Cathedral, similar to that of Asmara Catholic Cathedral. Eventually, on October 8,
1933, Msgr. Jarosseau solemnly blessed the Catholic Cathedral of Addis Ababa. To the Catholic mission
of Arada, were assigned 4 Capuchin Missionary priests, 1 lay brother, and 1 Ethiopian priest upon the
arrival of the first group of the Capuchin missionaries from Torino in 1937. For the Cathedral Church of
Addis Ababa, the Capuchin Missionaries of the Province of Torino also bought a big organ, which was
inaugurated by Msgr. Castellani, vicar apostolic of Addis Ababa, on the occasion of the 10 th anniversary
of his Episcopal consecration.
Consequently, the salon for parish activities was inaugurated by Msgr. Leone Ossola towards mid-June,
1939. In those days, the Catholic Cathedral was always crowded during religious celebrations. There was
a flourishing association for Catholic Action, and there were spiritual gatherings for the local youth and
adult Catholics.
Under the main Catholic Mission station of Arada, there was an outstation of Gulale (the Lazarist
Hoouse), situated ad distance of 3km from the center of the city. At Gulale, there was a big orphanage for
boys as well as an institution for Maternity and Infancy which also took care of abandoned children.
There were 14 nuns who took care of that center, where Fr. Corrado f Verzuolo served as a Chaplain.
Besides this responsibility, the chaplaincy of the hospital of “Luigi Razza” was under the mission station
of Arada, and Fr. Costantino of Racconigi was a Chaplain there
