Diocese of El Obeid

The Roman Catholic Diocese of El Obeid (Latin: Elobeiden(sis)) is a diocese in El-Obeid in the ecclesiastical province of Khartoum in Sudan.

History

• May 10, 1960: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of El Obeid from Apostolic Vicariate of Khartoum
• December 12, 1974: Promoted as Diocese of El Obeid

Sudanese Civil War

At the beginning of the Sudanese Civil War El Obeid remained under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces, but was surrounded by the Rapid Support Forces, who shelled the city. In an interview with international charity Aid to the Church in Need, bishop Yunan Andali explained that since the Cathedral is located between a military barracks, a police station and a building that belongs to the security forces it was in the hot zone when the war began. He explained that several military sought refuge in the cathedral on the first days of shelling. He also explained that during the war he has continued to offer spiritual and material support to the 300 Catholic families in El Obeid. The Catholic Church operates six kindergartens, six primary schools and one secondary school in El Obeid, and these are the only educational institutions that remain open, according to Bishop Tombe, a fact that earned the Church compliments from the authorities.^[1]

In June 2025 news emerged of the death of Fr Luka Jomo, a Catholic priest in the city of El Fasher. The priest was killed by a stray fire during an attack by the Rapid Support Forces. The Diocese of El Obeid, which covers El Fasher, confirmed his death, but said in a statement that it did not believe he had been intentionally targeted.^[2]

Special churches

The Cathedral is Our Lady Queen of Africa Cathedral in El Obeid.

Bishops

• Vicar Apostolic of El Obeid (Roman rite)
• Bishops of El Obeid (Roman rite) Bishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, M.C.C.I. (1979.03.05 – 1983.02.19), appointed Archbishop of Juba; Bishop Macram Max Gassis, M.C.C.I. (1988.03.12 – 2013.10.28); Bishop Michael Didi Adgum Mangoria (2013.10.28 - 2015.08.15); appointed by Pope Francis to be Coadjutor Archbishop to Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum, in Khartoum, Sudan; was to serve as El Obeid's Apostolic Administrator during the sede vacante (vacant see period) until a new Bishop was selected^[3]; Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali (2017.02.18 - present)^[4]

Another apostolic administrator was Bishop Antonio Menegazzo, M.C.C.I. (1996-2010)

Coadjutor Bishop

• Michael Didi Adgum Mangoria (2010-2013)