By Paschal Norbert
ADDIS ABABA, NOVEMBER 8, 2024 (CISA) – Pope Francis has appointed Fr Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, M.C.C.J., the first African Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries as auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Addis Ababa, assigning him the titular see of Cleopatris.
The Holy See Press Office announced the appointment on November 6, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia.
Fr Tesfaye, born on September 22, 1969, in Harar, Ethiopia, has spent over three decades dedicated to the Catholic Church and the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. This new role as auxiliary bishop not only highlights his leadership capabilities but is seen as a preparatory step towards potentially succeeding Souraphiel Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew (76), the current Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, who has surpassed the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Fr Tesfaye joined the postulate of the Comboni Missionaries in 1986, at the age of 17. After years of formation, he made his perpetual vows on November 1, 1994, and was ordained a priest in his home Archdiocese of Addis Ababa on August 26, 1995. His early years as a priest were marked by a deep commitment to theological education and intercultural dialogue, especially with the Muslim communities in Ethiopia and the surrounding region.
His academic pursuits took him to Rome, where he earned a licentiate in theology from the prestigious Pontifical Gregorian University and a diploma in Islamic studies from the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI). These studies were further enriched by time spent at Dar Comboni for Arabic Studies in Cairo, Egypt. Fr Tesfaye’s dedication to fostering interreligious understanding was a key aspect of his mission, especially during his years of service in Sudan between 1997 and 2000, where he worked to bridge gaps between Christian and Muslim communities.
In 2001, he was appointed deputy parish priest and director of the Comboni School in Haro Wato. His influence grew as he became provincial counselor and later provincial superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Ethiopia. He also served as president of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors of Ethiopia, where he worked to strengthen the Church’s mission in the country.
In 2009, during the 17th General Chapter of the Comboni Missionaries, he was elected General Councilor, with responsibilities for Basic Formation and overseeing the circumscriptions in English-speaking Africa and Mozambique. He was elected as Superior General in 2015, a role he held with distinction, being re-elected in 2022. This made him the first African to lead the congregation, founded in 1867 by St. Daniel Comboni and present in over 40 countries.
Reflecting on his journey, Fr. Tesfaye once said, “Service is not a position of power, but a commitment to the people and their spiritual and physical needs. The Church’s mission is to be present where we are needed most.”
His words resonate deeply with his life’s work and the congregation’s charism of ministering to the world’s poorest and most abandoned people, often working in unstable political climate, amid extreme poverty.
Fr Tesfaye’s appointment as auxiliary bishop is widely seen as a preparation for him to eventually succeed Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew, who is 76 years old and beyond the retirement age for bishops. The transition comes at a time when Ethiopia faces social and political challenges, and the Church’s leadership is crucial in promoting dialogue, peace, and unity among its people.
