Apostolic Vicariate of

Meki

Ethiopia

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Apostolic Vicariate

Name: Meki / Mekvien(sis) (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Neighbouring Dioceses: Hosanna (↙), Emdeber (←), Addis Abeba (↑), Harar (↗), Robe (↘), Awasa (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1980.03.06: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Meki / Mekvien(sis) (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Harar)
1991.12.21: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Meki / Mekvien(sis) (Latin)
2012.02.11: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Robe

Present Prelates

Vicar Apostolic (2003.01.29 – ...):

Bishop Abraham Desta (75)

Titular Bishop of Horrea Aninici

Ordinaries

Vicars Apostolic of Meki (Roman Rite)

Bishop Abraham Desta (75)
(2003.01.29 – ...)

Vicar Apostolic of Meki (Ethiopia)
Titular Bishop of Horrea Aninici

Lampada ai miei passi è la tua parola, luce sul mio cammino

Born:	1951.03.21 (Medea-Sebea, Ethiopia)
Ordained Priest:	1980.04.20
Consecrated Bishop:	2003.05.10

Priest of Adigrat of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1980.04.20 – 2003.01.29)

Titular Bishop of Horrea Aninici (2003.01.29 – ...)

Vicar Apostolic of Meki (Ethiopia) (2003.01.29 – ...)

Bishop Yohannes Woldegiorgis
(1991.12.21 – 2002.09.19)

Born:	1921.12.27 (Alitena, Ethiopia)
Ordained Priest:	1954.10.31
Consecrated Bishop:	1992.05.03
Died:	2002.09.19 († 80)

Prefect Apostolic of Meki (Ethiopia) (1981.09.08 – 1991.12.21)

Titular Bishop of Forma (1991.12.21 – 2002.09.19)

Vicar Apostolic of Meki (Ethiopia) (1991.12.21 – 2002.09.19)

Prefects Apostolic of Meki (Roman Rite)

Fr. Yohannes Woldegiorgis (later Bishop)
(1981.09.08 – 1991.12.21)

(see above)

Fr. Giovanni Bonzanino, I.M.C.
(Apostolic Administrator 1981.02.12 – 1981.09.08)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Kidane Miheret Cathedral, Meki

Hosanna (↙), Emdeber (←), Addis Abeba (↑), Harar (↗), Robe (↘), Awasa (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 52,780 km²

Population: 41,024 Catholics (0.7% of 5,500,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 16 parishes

Personnel: 28 priests (19 diocesan, 9 religious), 74 religious (23 brothers, 51 sisters), 6 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2026.03.30

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