Apostolic Prefecture of Dessié
The Apostolic Prefecture of Dessié was a Roman Catholic Church pre-diocesan missionary jurisdiction, with its seat in the north-central town of Dessie, Ethiopia. It existed from 1937 to 1951.
It was exempt, i.e. directly dependent on the Holy See.
History and Ordinary
It was established on 1937.03.25, under Italian rule, as Apostolic Prefecture of Dessié (Dessie), on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia, the heartland of Ethiopia.
On 1951.10.31 it was suppressed, its territory being merged back into what was by then the Apostolic Exarchate of Addis Abeba (which became the Metropolitanate in chief of an Alexandrian Rite Eastern Catholic particular church sui iuris), in Abyssinia.
Its first and only Ordinary was Father Costanzo Bergna, Friars Minor (O.F.M.) (1937.07.28 – death 1941.12.12).