Built on Faith,
Driven by Love

Parish, Community, Worship, Faith, Fellowship, Outreach, Sacraments, Engagement, Local, Unity

A diverse and inclusive community

Our mission is to spread the Gospel, foster spiritual growth, and promote integral human development through education, health, and community programs. We are committed to empowering clergy, religious, and lay faithful to live out Catholic values with compassion and purpose.

Our story

The Apostolic Vicariate of Meki (AVM), established in 1980 and elevated in 1991, is a Catholic missionary jurisdiction serving central Ethiopia. Led by Bishop Abraham Desta since 2003, AVM spans ~34,997 km² across Oromia and Central Ethiopia, serving ~40,500 Catholics through 16 parishes and missions. Founded by the Consolata Missionaries, the Meki Catholic Secretariat (MCS) drives our pastoral and social initiatives since 1995.

Our 16 Parishes

Locate your nearest parish and get involved.

ALEMTENA (BOTE) ST. PAUL PARISH

Alemtena St. Paul Parish was established in 1987 E.C. as a mission to serve Catholic Christians in the Alemtena area. Bishop Abraham Desta consecrated the Church in 2007 E.C. Currently, the parish only has one outstation, and a priest frequently travels there to celebrate oly Mass, give out the sacrament, and teach the faithful the Word of God. An elementary school, a kindergarten, as well as a health facility, are under the control of the parish administration. The parish communities are served by Missionary Sisters Servants of the oly Spirit and a priest from the Vincentian Congregation. On January 17., the parish of St. Paul will celebrate its annual feast. The parish community gets ready for the feast spiritually by participating in a variety of spiritual activities.

ASELLA LIDETA MARIAM PARISH

The Asella Lideta Mariam Parish was established in 1968 E.C. as a mission to serve the Catholic Christians of Asella. The Church was built where it is now and consecrated by Bishop Abraham Desta in 1997 E.C.

The parish currently has only one outstation, and the parish priest of Asella visits it on a regular basis to celebrate Holy Mass, administer the sacrament, and teach the faithful the Word of God and catechesis.

The parish administration oversees a high school, two primary schools, and two kindergartens, in addition to a health facility. Two diocesan priests, as well as the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary and the Sisters of Saint Anne, serve the parish communities.

The parish of Lideta Mariam will celebrate its annual feast with devotion and contentment on Tuesday, May 1 ., and the community will spiritually prepare for the feast by participating in a variety of spiritual activities.

GAMBO HOLY TRINITY PARISH

Gambo, Holy Trinity Parish was founded in 1923 E.C. in Gambo, Lepis to serve the Christians who live nearby. At the time, the area was under the jurisdiction of the arar Vicriate, and the Bishop of the arar Vicariate requested that the new parish be established when the congregation at  oly Trinity Church grew large.

There are currently five outstations, and a priest from the central parish visits once a week to celebrate oly Mass, administer Sacraments, and teach the faithful the Word of God. Two diocesan priests are currently serving the parish.

On January 7 . the parish of oly Trinity will joyfully celebrate its annual feast by participating in a variety of spiritual activities as it spiritually prepares for the feast.

GIGHESSA ST MARY OF CONSOLATA PARISH

The foundation of the Parish of Our Lady of Consolation in Gighessa traces back to the missionary efforts of a priest from the Harar Vicariate. From 1972 E.C. onward, Abba Giovanni Bonzanino faithfully carried forward the mission, leaving a lasting mark of dedication and service. Over the years, the parish has become home not only to a vibrant Catholic community but also to essential institutions: a fully equipped clinic serving the handicapped and physically challenged, a school for children, and the parish church itself—all located within the parish compound. Since 2016 E.C., the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) have been serving in Gighessa, extending their missionary zeal through parish ministry and the Peace Center, which has become a spiritual hub open to retreats, gatherings, workshops, and chapter meetings. This presence has further enriched the life of the parish and broadened its outreach to the wider Church and community. At present, the Apostolic Vicariate is discerning, praying, and planning to raise the center to a more meaningful status for the greater good of the community. While diocesan priests currently reside in Kuyera at St. Luigi Church, they continue to serve the faithful of Gighessa parish with dedication. The parish today is blessed with seven active outstations. The priests from Kuyera regularly visit these communities, celebrating the Holy Mass, administering the sacraments, and proclaiming the Word of God. As the annual feast approaches, the community is preparing spiritually through a variety of devotional activities. On Saturday, June 13, 2018 E.C., the Parish of Our Lady of Consolation will joyfully and devoutly celebrate its annual feast day.

Halaba St. Michael Parish

MEKI KIDANEMIHIRET PARISH

Meki Kidanemiheret parish was established in Meki town as a mission in 1962 E.C. to serve the local population. The church was built beginning in the year 1976 E.C., and it was finished in the year 1978

E.C. Bishop Abraham Desta commenced constructing a new cathedral because there was a growing demand for a larger, more convenient church to accommodate the expanding number of Catholics. On May 16, 2009 E.C., Bishop Abraham Desta consecrated the cathedral after it had been completed.

The parish currently maintains 15 outstations where priests from Meki go on a regular basis to celebrate Holy Mass, administer Sacraments, and teach catechism in order to support the spiritual life of the faithful in the villages.

As the cathedral and residence of the Bishop, the parish functions as the diocesan administration, coordinating a number of internal activities. A minor seminary, pastoral and social coordinating offices, three kindergartens, two elementary schools, a high school, a health facility, a woman promotion center, and a girls’ hostel are all available. Currently, 7 diocesan priests, Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, and the Community of St. Paul serve the parish in various activities.

On  May 16 ., parishioners will celebrate Kidanemihiret’s annual feast with great enthusiasm. The community will spiritually prepare for the feast by engaging in a variety of spiritual activities in coordination with the parishes within the vicariate because it is the main feast for the vicariate.

NEGELE ARSI ASTRIYO MARIAM

Negele Arsi Astriyo Mariam parish was established as a mission in Negele Arsi town in 1983 E.C. to serve a small number of families. The mission was then a part of Gambo parish. The construction of the Church began in 1995 E.C. and was completed and consecrated by Fr. Rossi in 1998   E.C. After some consideration, the decision was made to construct the current church, which was completed and consecrated by Bishop Abraham Desta in 2003 E.C.

At the moment, there are four outstations, and a priest from the central parish visit regularly to celebrate oly Mass, administer Sacraments, and teach the Word of God to the faithful.

The parish is currently served by one diocesan priest and a community of Missionary Sisters of Mary help of Christians, and it has one kindergarten.

The community will engage in a variety of spiritual activities as it spiritually gets ready for the feast. The parish of Astereyo Mariam will joyfully celebrate its annual feast on January 21.

ROPI CONSOLATA MARIAM PARISH

For the benefit of the Ropi and Weramo Kechachulo people, the parish of Ropi Consolata Mariam was established in Siraro Woreda in 1975 E.C. The land for the church building’s construction, which initiated in 2012 E.C., was owned by the locals as well as the Consolata fathers. The Church is dedicated to Consolata Mariam and consecrated on the same year of completion by Rev. Abba Gobezayehu Getachew, Vicar General of the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki.

There are currently eleven outstations, and a priest from the central parish visits on a regular basis to celebrate Holy Mass, administer sacraments, and teach the faithful God’s Word. There are currently two diocesan priests serving the community.

The parish of Holy Trinity will joyfully celebrate its annual feast on June 21. by participating in a variety of spiritual activities as the feast day approaches.

Shashemene Tsion Mariam parish

In order to assist the local population, Shashemene Tsion Mariam parish was founded as a mission in the town of Shashemene in 1961 E.C. The church was built between 1966 and 1968 E.C., and Fr. Martin from the Consolata Missionary consecrated it the same year. As the Catholic population grew, it was decided to construct a larger church to serve the growing number of Christians, which was consecrated by Fr. John Bonnazanino in 1974 E.C.

Currently, the parish has 10 outstations where priests from the main parish travel to celebrate Holy Mass and Sacraments as well as teach the Bible to the faithful in order to support their spiritual lives.

The parish administration is in charge of a health center, a high school, five elementary schools, and five kindergartens. Presently serving alongside sisters from the Saint Charles de Foucauld and St. ana Maria Francesca Rubatto are two diocesan priests.

The annual feast of Tsion Mariam Church, Shashemene, which is also the parish feast, will be celebrated in a spirit of devotion and joy on  November 21.

WONJI ST. MARY PARISH

Wonji St. Mary Parish was founded as a mission in 1965 E.C. to serve the vicinity. The beginning of the construction of the church dates back to 1978 E.C. and was completed in 1982 E.C., while being consecrated the same year by bishop Yohannes Woldegiorgis.

The parish currently consists of three zones: Wonji, Shewa Alemtena, and Awash Melkas. Additionally, there are 18 outstations within the parish where, priests from the center go to celebrate Holy Mass, administer the sacrament, and teach the faithful the Word of God and Catechesis. Along with a health center, the parish administration oversees a high school, a primary school, and two kindergartens.

The parish communities are served by two diocesan priests, as well as Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary and Missionaries of Charity sisters.

On August 21., parishioners will celebrate the annual feast of St. Mary, Wonji, with great enthusiasm. The community will participate in a number of spiritual activities as it spiritually prepares for the feast.

WORAGU HOLY SAVIOR PARISH

Woragu Holy Savior parish, one of the oldest parish, was founded in 1890 E.C. by Abune Torin Kahne, bishop of Harare. Abba Eyoakim, a Capuchin priest, was the first parish priest to serve the community. The parish was previously administered by the Vicariate of Harar before being moved to the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki in 1972 E.C., where the Consolata Missionary has been active since then. Bishop Abraham Desta consecrated the current church after it was completed.

There are currently five outstations where priests go to celebrate Holy Mass, administer Sacraments, and preach the Word of God to the faithful. Consolata Missionaries and Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit currently provide health care and education in the parish.

The annual feast of Holy Savior Parish, Woragu will be held on October 27. As part of the spiritual preparation for the feast, the parish community organizes various spiritual programs to strengthen the community and participants from various parts.

Ziway (Batu) OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH

Ziway, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish was established in 1968 E.C. to serve the growing Catholic community and surrounding areas. All of the Catholic Churches and institutions in this area are founded on St. Don Bosco’s charism. The parish currently has a quasi-parish and an outstation where priests celebrate Holy Mass, administer sacraments, and teach the faithful the Word of God in the spirit of Don Bosco.

The parish has kindergartens, elementary schools, high schools, and technical schools. Both male and female Salesian families work in the parish to serve the people.

The parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help will celebrate its annual feast on  May 21.  with devotion and joy, and the community will prepare spiritually for the feast by participating in a variety of spiritual activities.