Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI on February 11, 2012 erected the new Apostolic Prefecture of Robe, in Ethiopia, with territory taken from the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki. The Holy Father appointed the first Apostolic Prefect of Robe, Rev. P. Angelo Antolini, O.F.M. Cap., Episcopal Vicar for the region of Robe and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Ethiopia.
The new Apostolic Prefecture of Robe (nom. lat. Roben/sis/), will extend southeast along the Vicariate of the Rift-Valley of three civil regions: 1. West Arsi Zone: Oromiya Region (6 provinces): Kofale, Dodola, Adaba, Kokossa, Nansebo, Gedeb, with 8000 square km. and 982,000 inhabitants. 2. All Bale Zone: Oromiya Region (13 provinces): Agarfa, Gaserana Gololcha, Legehida, Ginir, Sinanana Dinsho, Goba, Mennana Harena Buluk, Meda Welabu, Goro, Berbere, Guradamole, Raytu, Seweyna, with 57000 square km. and 1,288,000 inhabitants. 3. Afder Zone: Somali Region (7 provinces): Chereti, Elekere, Guradamole, Mierab Emi, Afder, Bare, Dolobay, with 50000 square km. and 466,000 inhabitants.
Rev. P. Angelo Antolini, O.F.M. Cap., was born in Italy, in Santa Vittoria in Matenano (diocese of Fermo), on May 24, 1953. He entered the Seraphic Seminary of Fermo in 1962. In 1966 he moved to Cingoli for the two years of grammar school and then at Camerino for the period of Novitiate. He professed his perpetual Profession on 6 June 1976 and was ordained a priest on September 17, 1977 in Ancona. After ordination he has held the following positions: 1977-1981: Assistant at the Seraphic Seminary, Vocation Promoter of the Capuchins in the Marchigiana Province; 1981-2006: Assistant priest, responsible for the formation of catechists and youth, coordinator of the Neocatechumenal Path in Ethiopia; 1987-1990: Pastor of Dubbo; 1990-1995:Pastoral leader of the Central Zone of the Vicariate; since 2000: Head of the Department of Diocesan Pastoral; 2003-2006: Vicar of the Vice-Capuchin Province of Ethiopia, since 2006: Missionary in the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Ethiopia. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2012)
