Bishop Angelo Moreschi, an Italian Bishop and leader of Ethiopia’s Apostolic Vicariate of Gambella, a missionary region catering for about 25,000 Catholics has become the first Catholic Bishop to fall prey to the deadly corona virus, a March 25 report said.

Ethiopia’s Bishops’ Conference announced the unfortunate situation to the Faithful and the wider community, conveying message of condolence to the Catholic and the Ethiopian community at large.
The Bishops also emphasized their “closeness and prayers  of members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia and the entire Catholic church in Ethiopia”.

Bishop Moreschi has been eulogised for his pastoral ministry in the country, his dedication to the younger generation and the poor which earned him the title “Abba”.

The Salesians’ Don Bosco in the region indicated that “in his mission as Prefect and then as Apostolic Vicar, he continued to embody the Salesian focus in helping children, accompanying them, by his practical spirit and his strong Apostolic zeal ”

The Prelate was born on June 13, 1952, taking his first and perpetual vows on September 1, 1974 and 1980 respectively. He was ordained priest on October 2 1982. On November 16, 2000, he was appointed Prefect of Gambella, Ethiopia and Apostolic Vicar in the same region.
In 2009, he was named Titular Archbishop of Elephantaria.

Source: Radio Angelus