Apostolic Vicariate of Gambella

Bishop Roberto Bergamaschi, S.D.B. Vicar Apostolic of Gambella

Birth Place: San Donato Milanese Birth Date: 17 Dec 1954

Ordained Priest: 2 Oct 1982

Appointed Vicar Apostolic: 29 Jun 2016

The Ethiopian Catholic Church started its operation in Gambella in the 1990s, when there were only 8 ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the country. In the Ethiopian Catholic Church administrative structure, the Gambella area was under the Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonaga. As Gambella is a first evangelization area where most of the local people are traditional believers, there was a big need for pastoral work. Gambella is also one of the four emerging regional states in Ethiopia, where the need for social and development intervention is unavoidable. However, due to the remoteness of the Gambella region from Addis Ababa and also from Jimma town, where the headquarters of the Jimma Bonga Prefecture is located, the Catholic Church was not able to fully accomplish its mission in the area.

Therefore, to better represent the Catholic Church in Gambella and a large part of the Illubabor Zone of Oromiya region, the establishment of one more diocese was important. Hence, the Holy See declared the launching of the Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella in November 2000. The installation of the new diocese and the first Apostolic Prefect, Msgr. Angelo Moreschi was born on February 25, 2001.

When the prefecture was established, taking areas from the Jimma Bonga Prefecture, there were only two parishes and some outstations, and almost no intervention in social and development Activities. The physical structure in which the Prefecture started its activity consisted of only one Church and a parish house. It was the responsibility and burden of the newly appointed Apostolic Prefect to put things
in order and shape the future of the Catholic Church in Gambella. Needless to say, the work of enabling the Catholic Church in Gambella to stand on its feet was started from scratch. The hard work of all the pastoral agents for ten years was recognized by the Holy See and it was decided by the same to elevate the prefecture to a Vicariate. It was with great joy that we celebrated the elevation of the prefecture to a vicariate and the consecration of His Excellency Bishop Angelo Moreschi as the first Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Gambella on January 31, 2010.

EXTENT

The Apostolic Vicariate of Gambella comprises all of the Gambella Region and a large part of the Illubabor Zone in the Oromia Region.

APPROXIMATE FIGURES

The population is estimated to be around 21,000 Catholics covering an area of 50,000 km².