ETHIOPIA: New Bishop of Gambela Vicariate Installed
Welcoming of the new Bishop of Gambella Vicariate, Mgr. Bergamaschi, SDB
By Habtamu Abrdew Beture
On Saturday, October 31, 2020 the day of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cardinal Berhaneyesus, Metropolitan Archbisop and President of The Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia leads the official installation of the new Bishop of the Vicariate of Gambela, Mgr. Roberto Bergamaschi,SDB. Who had been already serving as Vicar in the Vicariate of Hawassa.
On the occasion the dignitaries including Cardinal Berhaneyesus Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, Mons. Jean Paul, secretary to the Vatican Nuncio, several other bishops, H.E. Mr. James Thakuey the vice president of the Regional State of Gambela, cabinet officials, Abba Tishome, the secretary general of the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat, Abba Hailemariam Medhin SDB, the provincial of Salesians, priests, religious, as well as faithful were presensented.
The priests and religious representing the Vicariate of Hawassa handed over their previous humble bishop to the Vicariate of Gambela and entrusted the whole nation to pray for God to appoint a good shepherd for the Diocese of Hawassa as well.
At the ceremony, H.Emn, Cardinal Berhaneyeus said in a sermon “It is God who calls and sends. “In his episcopal address, His H.Emn. Cardinal Berhaneyesus also remembered the Coat of Arms of the Bishop Roberto and urges the people to Serve God with joy and congratulates him on coming to Gambela to serve the Vicariate with the services provided by the Church.
H.Emn. Cardinal Berhaneyesus also remembered H.E. Bishop Anjelo the former Bishop of the Vicariate of Gambela, who recently passed away, and said he was confident that God would reward him for his unforgettable friendship and humble services. H.Emn. also thanked Abba Tesfaye for his apostolic services in administering the diocese in the absence of the bishop as entrusted by the church.
new Bishop of the Vicariate of Gambela.
H.Emn said in the sermon that the Church of Jesus Christ is one body, and we her children who call God our father also should be one and should not be division among Christians.
For his part, Abba Tesfaye Petros said the Catholic Diocese of Gambela is making a significant contribution in education, health, nutrition and food security, clean water supply and other various sectors.
H.E. Mr. James Thakuey The Vice President of the Regional State of Gambela in his address also said that the Government does not need any body to testify to the contribution of the Catholic Church in the region the multi-layered development activities of the Church is communicating by itself. He said the government is committed to this great partnership as it carries out activities that have greatly benefited our society.
H.E. Bishop Roberto Bergamaschi, the new bishop of the Vicariate of Gambela, said: “We are all children of God. We need to live together and respect each other. ” “World’s politics may divide society. But the Church only follows the principles of the Our Father Who Art in Heaven. ” He also said. “All of us who call God our Father are brothers. We all have one Father and we live together in this indestructible truth.”
Abba Teshome Fikre, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, said he was grateful to senior officials and cabinet members of the Regional State Gambela for their presence and partnership with the Church.
Sunday, October 22, 2013 the all guest Bishops including H.Emn Cardinal Berhaneyesus traveled to cities around Gambela to offer prayers and Holy Masses at St. Mary of Shebo, St. Bakita of Bonga, and at the St. Mary the Covenant of Mercy Abobo. H.E. Bishop Roberto Bergamaski, the new bishop of the Vicariate of Gambela, celebrated his first Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral of Gambela.
