Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo, Ethiopia

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Apostolic Vicariate

Name: Soddo / Sodden(sis) (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1977.12.30: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Soddo–Hosanna / Sodden(sis)–Hosannen(sis) (Latin) (from the suppressed Apostolic Prefecture of Hosanna)
1982.10.15: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo–Hosanna / Sodden(sis)–Hosannen(sis) (Latin)
2010.01.20: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo / Sodden(sis) (Latin) (lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Hosanna)

Present Prelates

Vicar Apostolic:

vacant

Apostolic Administrator (2023.11.23 – ...):

Bishop Seyoum Franso Noel (53)

Vicar Apostolic of Hosanna (Ethiopia)

Titular Bishop of Eminentiana

Ordinaries

Vicars Apostolic of Soddo (Roman Rite)

Bishop Seyoum Franso Noel (53)
(Apostolic Administrator 2023.11.23 – ...)

Bishop Tsegaye Keneni Derara (80)
(2014.01.12 – 2023.11.23)

Titular Bishop of Maximiana in Byzacena
Vicar Apostolic emeritus of Soddo (Ethiopia)

Born:	1943.11.23 (Metcha Borodo, Ethiopia)
Ordained Priest:	1976.07.13
Consecrated Bishop:	2013.11.24

Priest of Addis Abeba of the Ethiopics (Ethiopia) (1976.07.13 – 2013.10.11)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Soddo (Ethiopia) (2013.10.11 – 2014.01.12)

Titular Bishop of Maximiana in Byzacena (2013.10.11 – ...)

Vicar Apostolic of Soddo (Ethiopia) (2014.01.12 – 2023.11.23)

Bishop Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, S.J. (85)
(2010.01.20 – 2014.01.12)

Titular Bishop of Vulturia
Vicar Apostolic emeritus of Soddo (Ethiopia)

Born:	1938.09.05 (Medellin, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:	1969.12.13
Consecrated Bishop:	2007.03.04

Vicar Apostolic of Soddo–Hosanna (Ethiopia) (2007.01.05 – 2010.01.20)

Titular Bishop of Vulturia (2007.01.05 – ...)

Vicar Apostolic of Soddo (Ethiopia) (2010.01.20 – 2014.01.12)

Vicars Apostolic of Soddo–Hosanna (Roman Rite)

Bishop Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, S.J. (85)
(2007.01.05 – 2010.01.20)

(see above)

Bishop Domenico Crescentino Marinozzi, O.F.M. Cap. (97)
(1982.10.15 – 2007.01.05)

Titular Bishop of Iucundiana
Vicar Apostolic emeritus of Soddo–Hosanna (Ethiopia)

Born:	1926.11.21 (San Severino Marche, Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1950.12.17
Consecrated Bishop:	1982.12.10

Apostolic Administrator of Hosanna (Ethiopia) (1972 – 1977.12.30)

Apostolic Administrator of Soddo–Hosanna (Ethiopia) (1977.12.30 – 1979.02.23)

Prefect Apostolic of Soddo–Hosanna (Ethiopia) (1979.02.23 – 1982.10.15)

Vicar Apostolic of Soddo–Hosanna (Ethiopia) (1982.10.15 – 2007.01.05)

Titular Bishop of Iucundiana (1982.10.15 – ...)

Prefects Apostolic of Soddo–Hosanna (Roman Rite)

Fr. Domenico Crescentino Marinozzi, O.F.M. Cap. (97) (later Bishop)
(1979.02.23 – 1982.10.15)

(see above)

Fr. Domenico Crescentino Marinozzi, O.F.M. Cap. (97) (later Bishop)
(Apostolic Administrator 1977.12.30 – 1979.02.23)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Tsegaye Keneni Derara (80) (2013.10.11 – 2014.01.12)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Soddo

Lodwar (↙), Torit (↙), Jimma–Bonga (↖), Hosanna (↑), Awasa (→), Marsabit (↓)

Statistics (2019.12.31)

Area: 45,500 km²

Population: 203,000 Catholics (3.4% of 5,981,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 36 parishes, 5 missions

Personnel: 58 priests (31 diocesan, 27 religious), 65 religious (30 brothers, 35 sisters), 4 seminarians