ETHIOPIA: Apostolic Vicariate of Hossana receives a new Bishop
The newly elected Apostolic Vicar of Hossana Rt. Rev. Seyoum Fransua has been consecrated as the 2nd Bishop of the Vicariate.
Bishop Fransua’s election followed the resignation of Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Woldeghiorgis Matheos who expressed his intention to retire to the Holy See after attaining the retirement age. The Apostolic Vicariate of Hossana was erected on January 20, 2010 by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XIV.
The consecration ceremony led by His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, C.M., Bishop Emeritus of Hossana Rt. Rev. Woldeghiorgis Matheos, and Apostolic Vicar of Meki Rt. Rev. Abraham Desta took place on July 2, 2017 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Hossana Town. During the ceremony the new Bishop received his Miter and crosier from the principal consecrator H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M., and after a Holy kiss from all the Bishops that was given as a sign of welcome to their conference and their solidarity with him he was led to his Chair and announced as the Apostolic Vicar of Hossana.Speaking during the occasion, Bishop Fransua thanked all the Bishops, his mentors, his parents, the clergy, religious men and women and the faithful of Hossana for walking with him and warmly accepting him.
He also pleaded with all to pray for
him saying, “Since it was announced that the Holy Father has elected me to be the Bishop of the Catholic Vicariate of Hossana I have continued to ask myself a question, WHY ME? I never dreamt that one day I will be called to shepherd the faithful in the Vicariate of Hossana. Though shock by theof election, I accepted this it in obedience to the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Having vowed obedience to God and to the Church, I accept this ministry as a missionary of the Church and I thank the Holy Father for the honor believing that, through the intersession of Our Lady and St. Joseph and with your prayers I shall serve Our Lord and His people in our Vicariate as per His will.”
Speaking at the same time, the Deputy President of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State His Excellency Melese Alemu Said that, attending the consecration ceremony gave him a great spiritual satisfaction assuring the Bishop of the regional administration office collaborate with the Apostolic Vicariate of Hossana in all its endeavours.
He also thanked the Catholic Church for Her contributions in the development efforts of the region particularly in the Kembata Tembaro and Hadiya Zones saying that, for ages the Church has been with the people giving not just spiritual support but also providing social services to ensure integral development.
Bishop Seyoum is a Diocesan Priest from the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki, he was born in 1970 in Arsi Zone, Weragu village and educated at the Catholic School of Meki. Responding to his call to priesthood he joined the Franciscan Capuchin Institute of Philosophy and Theology to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. Bishop Seyoum went on to join the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome to study missiology making him the only Ethiopian Catholic Priest to hold a doctoral degree in Missiology.
Bishop Fransua has served as a rector of the minor seminary in the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki, assistant Parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Cathedral in Meki town, Deputy Secretary General of Meki Catholic Secretariat until he went to Rome for further studies. Upon completion of his Doctorate degree he joined the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat in Addis Ababa in 2012 at the same time he continued to serve the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki as Vicar General.
∽End∽
By Makeda Yohannes
