The 19th Century

Pope Gregory XVI appointed Mgr Justin de Jacobis Prefect Apostolic of Abyssinia on 10th March 1839 . The boundaries of the Prefecture were stated as comprising " Ethiopia and the bordering countries without limits to both West and South." Now all the places previously mentioned (cf. 2.1.1), therefore, lay within his jurisdiction even when, on 19th June 1847 the Prefecture became the Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia despite the establishment in the previous year of the Apostolic Vicariate of the Sudan and the Apostolic Vicariate of the Galla.

 

Mgr. J. de Jacobis,C.M. first settled in Adwa , where he arrived on 29th October 1839 . Towards the middle of December that year Frs. Montuori and Sapeto left for Gonder. From there Fr. Montuori continued to Khartoum and Fr. Sapeto headed south with the intention of participating in Ras Sahle-Selassie's attempt to christianise the south of the country. For his part Mgr. de Jacobis remained in Adwa since it provided better opportunities for communications. After a year spent in studying languages, history and culture, he was asked to join the Ethiopian delegation heading for Cairo in the hope of obtaining a patriarch for Ethiopia . Once the patriarch had been obtained Mgr. de Jacobis with some other members of the delegation, notably Gebremichael, visited Rome and Jerusalem .

 

As Adwa was not suitable for a permanent foundation, Mgr de Jacobis began looking elsewhere. Eventually, a piece of land was purchased at Guol'a on 10th December 1844 , and he wrote: "I have chosen it to be our principal residence in Abyssinia ." But from there in an attempt to avoid the threat of persecution and because the people gave him a cordial reception, which, in fact, was expressed in a covenant between the Catholic Church and the elders of the Irob people, he established roots at Alitena in 1845. The first ordinations were performed by Mgr. W. Massaia, O.F.M.Cap. on 2nd February 1847 . Although the ordinations took place according to the Latin rite it was clearly understood that the priests belonged to and would exercise their ministry according to the Ethiopian rite. But, by contrast, Mgr. Massaia, who had interrupted his journey south where he was still to begin his ministry as Vicar Apostolic of the Galla, made it quite clear that he would "do everything possible to introduce Roman Catholic practices."

 

On 19th June 1847 the Prefecture of Abyssinia became the Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia and Mgr. de Jacobis was appointed the bishop. His consecration by Mgr. Massaia took place in the greatest secrecy in a hut near Massawa' coast on the evening of 7th January 1849 . Two years later, in 1851, Mgr. de Jacobis founded the parish of Maiberazio.

 

The patriarch that had come from Cairo began a systematic persecution of the Catholics in that same year. Mgr. de Jacobis left the region for Halay in the hope that his absence would put an end to their sufferings. His presence at Halay was providential as it led to the establishment of new parishes throughout that region and also among the people around Keren. As the Vicariate had become so widespread, ranging from Gonder through Agame, the region around Halay and Hebo, as well as Massawa and Keren, Mgr. Biancheri was consecrated as coadjutor in the church of Halay on 2nd October 1853 .

 

Mgr. de Jacobis now felt free to pursue his intention of making an apostolic visit to Gojam and Shewa, as there was now a bishop to cater for the northern part of the Vicariate. While passing through Gonder, however, together with all his priests, he was imprisoned. After four months in prison Mgr de Jacobis was escorted into exile, but before reaching Metema the soldiers let him go, and it was only on 5th March 1855 that he returned to Halay.

 

From then until his death on 31st July 1860 Mgr. de Jacobis lived the life of a hunted bishop. He had two concerns: to save his 12,000 or so Catholics from persecution and to ensure the continuity of the Vicariate. In the latter months of his life he had a great joy when Fr. Charles Delmonte, C.M. arrived in Halay on 12th January 1860 . The bishop had really desired to restrict the number of European personnel to a minimum since he wanted to build up an Ethiopian Catholic Church based almost exclusively on Ethiopian diocesan priests. He trusted those priests and they responded with equal trust. Mgr. de Jacobis' legacy, therefore, in establishing a viable Ethiopian Catholic Church was founded on two cornerstones: mutual trust and the use of the Ethiopian rite.

 

Mgr. de Jacobis was canonized on 26th October 1975 .

 

2.2. Blessed Abba Gebremichael : a saintly disciple

 

Gebremichael was born in 1788 at Dibo, Gojam, not far from the monastery of Mertule Mariam. In 1807 he became a novice at that same monastery. At the age of 25 he had completed his studies and had the equivalent of a "Doctorate in Ecclesiastical Sciences". Instead of pursuing a promising career, he made his solemn profession as a monk. Gebremichael had a thirst for knowledge, but not just for the sake of becoming victorious in theological controversies.

 

He first met Mgr. de Jacobis in 1841 when they were both members of the delegation looking for a new metropolitan in Cairo . From there he visited Rome and Jerusalem . At about this time Gebremichael's search for knowledge really became a search for truth. As a result of that search he repeatedly asked Mgr. de Jacobis to become a Catholic, but it was only in February 1844 that he was accepted.

 

For a short time Gebremichael taught in Alitena before heading for Gonder in September 1849. Near Adwa , together with his companions Gebremichael was arrested and put in chains. They were only released after sixty-six days and then they returned to Alitena. It was there that Mgr. de Jacobis on 1st January 1851 secretly ordained his first priest, Abba Gebremichael.

 

Later that year Abba Gebremichael once again headed for Gonder. In that city on 15th July 1854 the new king, as was customary, proclaimed his profession of faith. Since this affirmed that Christ's humanity had been "cut off" once he had become united to the divinity, Abba Gebremichael refused to accept it. For their refusal the elderly priest and his companions were cruelly whipped and then their feet were chained to the stocks. After suffering such terrible torture for five months and twenty days, Abba Gebremichael was brought before the judges. Again he refused to accept that profession of faith and so he was condemned to have his head cut off. At the last moment the execution was changed by orders of the king and, instead, the soldiers were ordered to give him one hundred and fifty lashes of the whip.

 

Two days later Abba Gebremichael was obliged to trudge behind the army as it went on a military expedition. During the course of the march the English consul, Plowden, arrived at their camp at the end of May 1855. Once again Abba Gebremichael was brought before the tribunal composed of various dignitaries, including the English consul. For having persisted in his refusal to accept that form of faith he was condemned to be shot. Only at the last moment, as he stood facing the firing squad, he was released thanks to the intervention of Plowden. Although Abba Gebremichael's life had been spared, he was condemned to follow the army bound in chains.

 

For the next three months he continued to shuffle along in his chains. Then, as the evening shadows lengthened on the feast of St. George, the martyr, 29th August 1855 , Abba Gebremichael rested against a stone under the shade of a big cedar tree. Prophetically, he calmly declared that he would die that evening and indicated the place where he was to be buried. Then, quite peacefully he died while still bound by his chains.

 

On 31st October 1926 Pope Pius XI beatified Abba Gebremichael as a martyr. Now, as we approach the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of his death as a martyr, it would be most fitting that he should be canonized. Let that be our prayer!

 

For many years the diocesan priests of the present Eparchy of Adigrat have practised a deep devotion to the martyr, Blessed Gebremichael. Some 79 years ago, on 12th Tiqimt, 1918 E.C. (November 6, 1925 G.C.), 8 diocesan priests of the Eparchy of Adigrat, since they saw in the person of Blessed Gebremichael an exemplar and model, agreed to start a spiritual association of priests under his patronage and named it: "Mahber Betsue Gebremichael". They drew up rules and regulation so that the association would help them spiritually for mutual love and fraternal support in their apostolate during their lives, and assurance of continued prayers and Masses after their death from this life. The membership grew from time to time as the Eparchy grew in faith and priestly vocation. Today the "Blessed Gebremichael Association of Priests of Adigrat Eparchy" has 59 living members (priests and Bishops), who are working in the apostolate within the Eparchy and in other Dioceses of Ethiopia. Among its 30 deceased members are Abune Hailemariam Kahsay, Abune Sebhat-Leab Worku, Abune Asrate-mariam Yemiru, Abune Yohannes Woldeghiorgis. Similar "Mahbers" in the name of Blessed Gebremichael exist also in other Dioceses in Ethiopia and Eritrea .

 

 

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