Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 5 January 2007 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Apostolic Vicariate in Ethiopia presented by the Apostolic Vicar Bishop Domenico Marinozzi, O.F.M. Cap., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, Canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed Apostolic Vicar of Soddo-Hosanna in Ethiopia Rev. Father Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, S.J., director of Galilee Centre Addis Ababa assigning to him the titular see of Vulturia.
Rev. Fr Rodrigo Mejía Saldarriaga, S.J., was born in Medellin (Colombia), 5 September 1938. He studied at San Ignacio College in Medellin. In 1965 he entered the Santa Rosa Novitiate and also pursued human studies and science at Santa Rosa College. From 1962 to 1964 he studied philosophy at the Javeriana University of Bogota, obtaining a Licentiate. The following year he started a 2 year missionary experience in Congo, while taking courses in "Magisterium" at Jesuit Colleges in Leopoldville and Koyo Central. On returning to Colombia in 1967, he studied theology at Javeriana University Bogota, obtaining a Licentiate in 1970. On 13 December 1969, he was ordained a priest and in 1976 he made his perpetual vows as a member of the Society of Jesus. Since his ordination he has served as follows: 1970-1975: itinerant mission and parish pastoral at Popokabaka and Kimwenza, (R.D.C.); 1976-1979: doctorate in spiritual theology at the Gregorian University in Rome; 1980-1994: docent in theology and rector at the Pedro Canisio Institute, docent at the major seminary in Kimwenza; 1985-1994: Docent of theology at Hekima College, Nairobi while assisting with pastoral work in a parish in the outskirts of (Kenya); 1994-1995: Sabbatical year in Rome; 1995-1998: Jesuit East Africa Provincial; 1998-2001: Missionary in Ethiopia. In charge of the Catholic Secretariat in Addis Ababa. Since 2001 director of Galilee Centre, a formation house 40 km from Addis Ababa.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo-Hosanna (Ethiopia) was created in 1982. It has an area of 65.000 sq. km., a population of 7,000,000 including 250.000 Catholics gathered in 36 parishes assisted by 56 priests (29 diocesan and 27 religious), 74 women religions and there are 39 seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/1/2007; Righe 27; Parole 378)
