Tesfamariam Bedho

Tesfamariam Bedho (12 September 1934 – 29 July 2002) was an Eritrean hierarch of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, who served as the first Bishop of the Eparchy of Keren from its establishment in 1995 until his death in 2002.

Early life, education and priesthood Tesfamariam Bedho was born on 12 September 1934 in Deroq, present day in Anseba region, Eritrea. He began his formation to the priesthood at a young age, entering the Keren Seminary for his early ecclesiastical studies. He later moved to Asmara, where he attended the Major Seminary to complete his theological and philosophical training. Following his local studies, he was sent to Rome, Italy, where he studied at the Pontifical Urban University, obtaining further academic qualifications in preparation for his ministry. Following his ordination, he served in various pastoral and administrative roles within the Eparchy of Asmara, which at the time encompassed much of the region.

Episcopacy On 21 December 1995, with the establishment of the Eparchy of Keren (detached from the Eparchy of Asmara), Bedho was appointed its first bishop by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on 4 February 1996 from Cardinal Paulos Tzadua, assisted by Zekarias Yohannes and Kidane-Mariam Teklehaimanot. In October 2001, he participated in the Synod of Bishops in Rome. During the assembly, he addressed the challenges facing the Church in Eritrea, specifically mentioning the difficulties of carrying out pastoral work amidst regional instability.

Death Bedho suddenly died in office on 29 July 2002 at the age of 67, following his visit of the Inter-Eparchial Major Seminary in Asmera.