Italian Catholic Community Establishes New Presence in Muslim-Majority Area of Ethiopia

The Villaregia Missionary Community has established a new presence in Ghinnir, located in the East Bale zone of Ethiopia. The community moved to this Muslim-majority area to reach regions where the Catholic Church has a limited presence.

Teresa Zullo, a missionary with the community who has worked in Ethiopia for seven years, said the move to Ghinnir followed a period of discernment and experience within the territory. She explained that the community is entering a new reality to learn how to be present in areas without an existing Catholic community.

The community arrived in the region following an invitation from Fr. Angelo Antolini, the Prefect of the Apostolic Prefecture of Robe. While in East Bale, the missionaries have been visiting communities to raise awareness about early marriage and female genital mutilation.