Leo XIV's New Archbishop in Addis Ababa: Synodality, Islam Dialogue, Universal Fraternity
On June 12, Leo XIV has appointed Monsignor Abune Tesfaye as the Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
His precedessor, Cardinal Souraphiel, has led the Archeparchy of Addis Ababa since 1999.
Entire Formation about Islam-Dialogue
Monsignor Tesfaye is a member of the Comboni Missionaries. He was born in 1969 in Harar, one of Ethiopia's historic centers of Islam.
Virtually his entire formation points in the direction of Islam-dialogue.
He was sent after ordination to study Arabic in Cairo, served as a missionary in Sudan, and later earned a licentiate from the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI), the Church's a major Pontifical institute for Islamic Studies. His academic work included research on Sufism.
In November 2024, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Ababa and received episcopal ordination in February 2025.
"Builder of Universal Fraternity"
For nearly a decade (2015-2024), he was Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries. The August 2022 issue of Familia Comboniana contains the monthly prayer intentions.
The August intention prays to make us "builders of dialogue and universal fraternity."
Nonsensical Synodal Verbiage
He was a member of the Synod meetings in October 2023 and 2024. In December 2024 he told GlobalSistersreport.org about the synod that “the journey is the path”.
And: "We are called to continue consultation and discernment."
Or: "We should not be afraid of synodality." It "means journeying together."
Life in Relationship with Nature
In an May 2024 interview on ComboniMissionaries.org, he welcomed Pope Francis’ approval allowing non-ordained religious brothers to serve as superiors.
On environmentalism, Monsignor Tesfaye said: "We have grown with the Church and the world in sensitivity to the care of creation and to live well our relationship with nature through the acceptance of the indications of Pope Francis in Laudato si'."
Caring for Migrants Major Challenge
Furthermore, he said that the Comboni Missionaries are pleased that their missionaries help welcome and support illegal migrants to Europe. They “have been forced to leave their countries for various reasons”: “Caring for migrants pastorally is a major challenge for both local churches and the congregation.”
He also praises Pope Francis for his example and teaching on caring for immigrants.
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