ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Catholic Church Celebrates the Ordination of New Bishops
Bezawit Assefa
Following the Holy Father’s appointment of new Bishops to the Church in Ethiopia in 2024, ordination for the two Bishops of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa and the Vicariate of Hawassa took place on consecutive weekends.
The episcopal ordination of former Comboni missionaries Superior General now Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa Rt. Rev. Tesfasellassie’s was held on 2 February 2025, with the Holy mass presided by His eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus the Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Bishops Conference of Ethiopia. Concelebrants included Archbishop Menghesteab the Archbishop of Asmara and President of the Bishops Conference of, Eritrea, and Bishop Abraham, Bishop of Meki Diocese.
During the Holy Mass, Cardinal Berhaneyesus commended the new Bishop and urged all the faithful to pray, quoting 1 John 4:14: “Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world,” a verse chosen by the new Bishop as his guiding motto. He also extended a warm welcome to the visiting Bishops from Asmara and Uganda, as well as other distinguished guests who had traveled from around the world to attend the celebration.
On 9 February 2025 it was the turn of Bishop Merhachristos the former Vicar delegate of the Meki Diocese, which took place in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. The episcopal ordination was marked by a welcoming ceremony, as the faithful of the region who had been awaiting a bishop for the past four years, joyfully celebrated his appointment.
The Holy Mass at Kidanemihret Catholic Cathedral in Hawassa was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus, together with concelebrants Bishop Abraham of the Diocese of Meki and the newly elected Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa, Bishop Tesfasellassie.
The appointment of these new bishops marks a significant step in strengthening the pastoral, social, and political engagement of the universal Church in Ethiopia. Additionally, the presence of bishops from Eritrea, Uganda, and Nigeria highlighted the growing solidarity and unity of the Church in Eritrea and Ethiopia and across Africa.
