Eparchy of Asmara (Ethiopian)

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Bishop(s) Menghistear Tesfamariam, M.C.C.I., Bishop Zekarias Yohannes, Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Eparchy Elevated: 20 February 1961 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Addis Abeba Rite: Ethiopian Country: Eritrea Square Kilometers: 53,183 (20,541 Square Miles) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 244, Gonder St. 19, Asmara, Eritrea Telephone: (01) 120.206; 125.638 Fax: 126.519

Historical Details

• Ordinariate of Eritrea (Ethiopian)
  • Erected: 4 July 1930
  • Country: Eritrea
  • Square Kilometers: 119,000 (45,963 Square Miles)

• Apostolic Exarchate of Asmara (Ethiopian)
  • Latin Name: Asmarensis
  • Elevated: 31 October 1951
  • Country: Eritrea

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Kidanè-Maryam Cassà † (4 Jul 1930 Appointed - 1 Sep 1951 Died)
• Ghebre Jesus Jacob † (24 Feb 1951 Appointed - Feb 1958 Resigned)
• Asrate Mariam Yemmeru † (3 Feb 1958 Appointed - 9 Apr 1961 Appointed, Archbishop of Addis Abeba)
• François Abraha † (9 Apr 1961 Appointed - 17 Jul 1984 Resigned)
• Zekarias Yohannes (17 Jul 1984 Appointed - 25 Jun 2001 Retired)
• Menghistear Tesfamariam, M.C.C.I. (25 Jun 2001 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Ordinariate of Eritrea (Ethiopian)
4 July 1930	Erected		Ordinariate of Eritrea (Ethiopian) (erected)
Apostolic Exarchate of Asmara (Ethiopian)
31 October 1951	Elevated	Ordinariate of Eritrea (Ethiopian)	Apostolic Exarchate of Asmara (Ethiopian)
Eparchy of Asmara (Ethiopian)
20 February 1961	Elevated	Apostolic Exarchate of Asmara (Ethiopian)	Eparchy of Asmara (Ethiopian)
21 December 1995	Territory Lost	Eparchy of Asmara (Ethiopian)	Eparchy of Barentu (erected)
21 December 1995	Territory Lost	Eparchy of Asmara (Ethiopian)	Eparchy of Keren (erected)

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Ordinariate of Eritrea (Ethiopian)
1950	26,186	900,000	2.9%	83		83	315		13	89	65	ap1951
Apostolic Exarchate of Asmara (Ethiopian)
Eparchy of Asmara (Ethiopian)
1966	42,463	1,200,000	3.5%	91	52	143	296		97	93	84	ap1971
1975	55,800			83	102	185	301		130	192	72	ap1981
1990	60,780			78	108	186	326	4	181	282	87	ap1991
1999	46,303	2,927,280	1.6%	34	143	177	261		208	393	70	ap2000
2000	44,646	2,927,280	1.5%	33	171	204	218		246	392	60	ap2001
2001	44,646	2,927,280	1.5%	33	171	204	218		246	392	60	ap2002
2002	49,519	3,027,280	1.6%	38	199	237	208		304	475	138	ap2003
2003	54,712	3,500,000	1.6%	41	203	244	224		332	494	65	ap2004
2004	58,624	3,900,000	1.5%	41	223	264	222		302	484	66	ap2005
2006	62,453	4,010,000	1.6%	44	287	331	188	2	535	628	66	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops

• François Abraha † (Priest: 12 Mar 1944; Bishop: 9 Apr 1961 to 17 Jul 1984)
• Kidanè-Maryam Cassà † (Vicar Apostolic: 4 Jul 1930 to 1 Sep 1951)
• Ghebre Jesus Jacob † (Exarch: 24 Feb 1951 to Feb 1958)
• Menghistear Tesfamariam, M.C.C.I. (Bishop: 25 Jun 2001 - )
• Asrate Mariam Yemmeru † (Exarch: 3 Feb 1958 to 9 Apr 1961)
• Zekarias Yohannes (Priest: 2 Jun 1949; Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Jan 1981; Bishop: 17 Jul 1984 to 25 Jun 2001)