The Holy Father, Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, Mccj currently serving as Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, to the role of Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, assigning him the titular see of Cleopatris. This appointment honours Fr. Tesfaye’s extensive pastoral and leadership contributions within the Comboni Missionaries and beyond, recognizing his lifelong dedication to the Church, education, and interfaith understanding.
Early Life and Formation
Born in Harar, Ethiopia, on September 22, 1969, Fr. Tesfaye entered the postulancy of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus in 1986, responding to a call for missionary work and service in the spirit of St. Daniel Comboni. He took his perpetual vows within the Institute of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus on November 1, 1994, a commitment marking his lifelong devotion to the congregation’s mission. His priestly ordination took place on August 26, 1995, in Addis Ababa, solidifying his role in the Church and his dedication to the service of his community.
Academic Background
Fr. Tesfaye pursued theological and interreligious studies in some of the Church’s most esteemed institutions. He completed his theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (91-94), where he developed a deep theological foundation for his ministry. His passion for interfaith dialogue led him to further studies, including preparatory year of Islamic Studies (94-95) from the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome (PISAI). He later studied the Arabic language at the academic centre of Dar Comboni in Cairo and then followed another year of studies in Islamic Studies at the PISAI in Rome (96-97). Thereafter, he obtained a licentiate in Arabic and Islamic studies in Rome at the same institute between 2000-2001, where he cultivated an understanding of Islam’s theological and cultural aspects.
Ministerial and Leadership Roles
Throughout his career, Fr. Tesfaye has held numerous leadership and pastoral positions within the Church and the Comboni Missionaries:
2001: Assistant Parish Priest and Director of the Comboni School in Haro Wato, Ethiopia. In this dual role, he not only assisted in parish pastoral care but also led a Catholic school, promoting education and spiritual growth within the community.
2002–2004: Provincial Councillor of the Comboni Missionaries in Ethiopia. During this period, he provided guidance to the Ethiopian province of the congregation, supporting local missionaries and advancing the congregation’s mission in Ethiopia.
2009-2015: General Councillor of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus.
He was elected Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries in 2015, then re-elected in 2022.
The elevation of Rev. Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, Mccj means that the Institute of the Comboni Missionaries will now have to look for someone to replacement him as General Superior.
New People Media
