11/09/2026
The Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia has urged the newly installed Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa to emulate the leadership of Christ as he begins his pastoral ministry.
In his Sunday, September 6 homily during the installation of Archbishop Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, Archbishop Brian Ngozi Udaigwe encouraged the new Archbishop to embrace a style of leadership rooted in love, unity and service as he shepherds the people of God.
The Nuncio reminded the Ethiopian Church leader that Jesus “gave an example of how to guide and govern the people.”
In a Monday, September 7 report following the installation, Archbishop Udaigwe, who also represents the Holy Father in Somalia and Djibouti, further called on the faithful and members of the Clergy to work closely with Archbishop Tesfaye and support him in his new pastoral responsibility.
He expressed gratitude to members of the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) for offering Archbishop Tesfaye to the church.
Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Tesfaye Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa on 12 June 2026. He had previously been serving as Titular Bishop Cleopatris since February 2025.
Archbishop Tesfaye succeeds 77-year-old Berhaneyesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphiel, who has been serving the Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa for about 27 years.
The new Archbishop’s September 6 installation took place during a solemn Eucharistic celebration lasting more than four hours and was held under the theme, “Looking back with gratitude, walking forward with hope.”
Archbishop Tesfaye was born in Harar, eastern Ethiopia, and made his perpetual profession with the MCCJ in 1994 before being ordained a Priest in 1995.
He holds a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a Diploma in Islamic Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome. He also pursued Islamic studies at the Dar Comboni for Arabic Studies in Cairo, Egypt, and attended a formation course at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome.
More: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24007/apostolic-nuncio-in-ethiopia-urges-newly-installed-archbishop-to-lead-with-love-and-unity