Ethiopian Catholic Church in Toronto

Where we started

The earliest known gathering of Ethiopian Catholics in the Greater Toronto area to celebrate Holy Mass and the Eucharist was held in the mid 1980’s led by Abba (Fr.) Geroum Tesfaye and Mr. Tessemma Haileyesus. These gatherings were held periodically when opportunities allowed.   

Where we have been 

In September 1995, with the grace of the then Auxiliary Bishop Nicola De Angelis of the Toronto Catholic Archdiocese and the late Cardinal Paulos Tzadua of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa, Abba (Fr.) Assefa Tesfay was assigned to serve the Ethiopian and Eritrean Geez-rite Catholic communities in the Greater Toronto Area. In the ensuing years, Abba Tesfay led regular Ge’ez mass at S. Nicola Di Bari parish until he was replaced by Abba (Fr.) Ermyas Gebre-Egziabhere in 1998. Abba Ermyas continued to celebrate Holy Mass and the Eucharist for both communities at St. Clare’s Catholic Parish.  

Over the years, the Ethiopian-Canadian Catholic community in the Toronto area made sustained efforts to formulate a dedicated Pastoral Program in the Amharic language - the national language of Ethiopia. Group prayers and whenever possible Amharic mass was celebrated by visiting priests. From 2007-2008, Father Vittorio Boria who was then the Parish priest of St. Nicola de Bari also led Amharic mass periodically at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. 

At the end of 2008, with the effort of the faithful and the able guidance and facilitation of Abba (Fr.) Petros Berga, (who at the time was responsible for coordinating Pastoral Care Programs for Ethiopian Catholic communities abroad), the community achieved a major milestone. Arch Bishop (now Cardinal) Berhaneyesus Souraphiel CM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, and His Grace Archbishop (now Cardinal) Thomas Collins, Archdiocese of Toronto, collaboratively agreed to appoint an Amharic-speaking priest for the Ethiopian-Canadian Catholic community. Abba (Fr.) Isaias Dulla was assigned as the first Pastor dedicated to the Ethiopian-Canadian Catholic community in the Toronto Area. 

This was done in order to enable uninterrupted pastoral services in a manner that is consistent with the Ethiopian Geez-rite tradition, language, and Ethiopian-Canadian Catholic identity. With Abba (Fr.) Isaias’ arrival in Toronto in January 2009, regular Geez and Amharic mass and pastoral programs were established. A duly elected Parish Council was also formed. 

Where we are today

In October 2009, Abba (Fr.) Isaias and the community established the Lideta Mariam Ethiopian Ge’ez Rite Catholic Church in Toronto under the auspices of the Toronto Archdiocese. The church is co-located at St. Mary’s Polish Roman Catholic Church and continues to thrive to this day, as a place for the worship and preservation of our Ethiopian Catholic faith and traditions. 

Under the leadership of Abba (Fr.) Isaias Dulla, the Ethiopian-Canadian Catholic community has been able to receive full and uninterrupted pastoral care, church services and sacraments, partner with sister churches in Toronto and Ethiopia and embrace all the Christian faithful with open arms. The church and its Pastoral Care Program have become the spiritual and communal home for the Ethiopian-Canadian Catholic Community.  

The annual Lideta Mariam (Nativity of Mary) commemoration that is held in May in accordance with the Ethiopian liturgical calendar has become a highly anticipated spiritual and community celebration that is attended by all Geez-rite Catholics, their families, friends and our brothers and sisters from sister churches.