TZADUA Card. Paulos

By Stephen Mbobu

One of our Main Lecture blocks on Langata Campus and indeed one of the last ones to be built at what is at times named the ‘ancestors corner’ (area at the lower side of the AMECEA grounds) is named Tzadua Hall. Who was Tzadua? Cardinal Paulos Tzadua, Archbishop emeritus of Addis Abeba, was born on 25 August 1921 in Addifini, eparchy of Asmara. He did his ecclesiastical studies at the seminary of Cheren, Eritrea. He was ordained a priest on 12 March 1944 and was assistant pastor of the Cathedral of Asmara and director of its parochial school. Two years later, he was sent on mission to Guraghè where he stayed for three years. Upon returning to Eritrea, he taught english at the minor seminary and continued his studies and obtained in 1953 a diploma from the Italian ‘liceo Ferdinando Martini’ of Asmara. Having won a scholarship from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, in 1953 he went to Milan to study political and social sciences. Here he earned a doctorate in law. Having returned to his country, he served as a secretary of Mgsr. Asrate Miriam Yemmeru in the see of Asmara and of Addis Abeba. Elected secretary general of the episcopal conference, he dedicated himself to an intense pastoral service in favor of university students. He was also one of the two observers of the Holy See at the Session of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches held in Eritrea. On 1 March 1973 he elected titular Bishop of Abila in Palaestina and named Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Abeba. He received episcopal ordination on 20 May 1973. About two years later (until 1999), he was elected as the president of the Ethiopian Episcopal Conference. On 24 February 1977 he was named Archbishop of Addis Abeba where he established a diocesan council for the laity and President delegate to the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (1994). He left office becoming Archbishop emeritus on 11th September 1998. Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 25th April 1985. His Titular church assignment was, Most Holy Name of Mary (via Latina). Cardinal Paulos Tzadua died on 11th December 2003. He had served as a priest for 59.7 years, a bishop for 30.5 years and as a cardinal for 18.5 years. Works As a scholar, Paulos Tzadua is known for his 1968 English translation of the Fetha Nagast. As well as for his studies on the Ethiopic Liturgy. Backround Information from: Vatican Press. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btzadua.html