History
Pope Pius X established the Apostolic Prefecture of Benadir, under the authority of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. The following year, the Trinitarian Father Alessandro Parenti was appointed Apostolic Prefect, a position he held until his death in 1924.
The Trinitarian Fathers settled in Kismayo, then part of British Kenya, as access to the Italian Colony was difficult due to its governance by Italian Masonic authorities. Gradually, they extended their presence to Gelib, Brava, Merca, and Mogadishu, providing pastoral care to Italian residents while also opening schools and dispensaries for the benefit of the Somali population.
Due to a shortage of Trinitarian personnel and a certain degree of inefficiency, the Trinitarian Fathers were replaced by the Consolata Missionaries guided by Msgr. Gabriele Perlo (as apostolic administrator until 1928 when he was appointed Apostolic Vicar of Mogadishu and thus consecrated bishop), who were also supported by governors from Turin. They resumed and expanded the activities initiated by the Trinitarians. In 1925, the Consolata Sisters also arrived.
Pope Pius XI, through the apostolic letter Rei Christianae, elevated the Apostolic Prefecture to an Apostolic Vicariate, changing its name to the Apostolic Vicariate of Mogadishu.
Father Gabriele Perlo (1879–1948), a Consolata missionary who had served as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Apostolic Prefecture since 1924, was appointed Titular Bishop of Amizone and first Apostolic Vicar. However, in August 1930, just two years later, he resigned.
The Cathedral of Mogadishu was consecrated on the occasion of the visit of Prince Umberto of Savoy.
Following rumours concerning the work of the Consolata Missionaries, in March they were replaced by the Franciscan Friars of the Lombard Province (OFM) guided by Msgr. Bernardino Bigi OFM as Apostolic Vicar who died unexpectedly a month later to be later replaced by Msgr. Fulgenzio Lazzati OFM who died on 24 May 1932. The Consolata Sisters, however, remained in mission.
The Holy See appointed Monsignor Venanzio Filippini, a Franciscan of the Lombard Province OFM, as Bishop and Apostolic Vicar. He continued and expanded the work of his predecessors, particularly in the educational and pastoral fields. These were difficult years, marked by British military occupation during the Second World War.
During the AFIS period — the Italian Trust Administration of Somalia, which lasted ten years from 1 April 1950 to 1 July 1960 — Italy, under a United Nations mandate, managed the transition of southern Somalia toward independence, preparing local administrative, political, and economic structures in anticipation of the creation of the Somali Republic. In this context, under the leadership of Bishop Filippini, the Franciscan Fathers expanded their presence throughout the territory, which included, from the south: Kismayo, Yonte, Mofi, Ngambo, Jelib, Brava, Merca, Afgoy, Baidoa, Mogadishu, Jowhar, Belet Weyne, and Hafun.
Proclamation of Somalia’s independence, resulting from the union of the former Italian Colony and the former British Somaliland.
Following the 1969 coup d’état, Somali President General Mohamed Siyad Barre nationalized all private educational institutions, including those of the Catholic Mission. More than half of the missionaries were forced to leave Somalia.
Monsignor Zocchetta died. For several years, the Diocese was led by an Apostolic Administrator, Father Salvatore Colombo.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Mogadishu was elevated to the Diocese of Mogadishu and incorporated that part of Somalia which had constituted the former British Somaliland, previously part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Aden. Monsignor Salvatore Colombo was appointed the first Bishop of the Diocese and was consecrated on 16 March 1976. He devoted himself in particular to assisting Somali refugees following the 1977 war between Somalia and Ethiopia, establishing Caritas Somalia.
Monsignor Salvatore Colombo was killed in Mogadishu. Father Giorgio Bertin initially succeeded him as Diocesan Administrator, and subsequently, on 23 April 1990, as Apostolic Administrator.
In the context of the uprising against the regime of Mohamed Siad Barre and the widespread looting of the city of Mogadishu, the Cathedral was also looted and set on fire.
Father Giorgio Bertin, together with the last three Consolata Sisters, took refuge in Nairobi, Kenya. From there, he continued to oversee what remained of the Diocese of Mogadishu, working mainly through Caritas Somalia in support of Somali refugees in Kenya and other humanitarian initiatives in different parts of Somalia. In February 1991, the three Consolata Sisters were able to return to Mogadishu as health workers within the SOS Village.
Father Giorgio Bertin, then residing in Kenya, was appointed Bishop of Djibouti by Pope John Paul II, while remaining Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mogadishu.
Monsignor Giorgio Bertin was consecrated Bishop of Djibouti in the Cathedral of Djibouti and relocated there from Nairobi.
Sister Leonella Sgorbati, of the Consolata Sisters, was killed in Mogadishu. Following this event, the Consolata Sisters definitively left Somalia.
The small church in Hargeisa, Somaliland, was reopened with the presence of a priest and a Caritas Somalia staff member. After a few months, the church was closed by order of the authorities, although the presence of a priest remained.
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Monsignor Bertin due to age limits and appointed Monsignor Jamal Daibes as his successor. He assumed office on 3 March 2024 as Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu.
On 9 July, at the initiative of Monsignor Giorgio Bertin, a Day of Remembrance was established to honor all those who gave their lives for Somalia and in the service of charity.
This day is dedicated to remembering women and men who, through their commitment, compassion, and sense of responsibility toward others, chose to stand alongside the Somali people, even at the cost of their own lives. Their actions were inspired by a profound dedication to humanity, solidarity, and the dignity of every person.
This remembrance is not limited by religious affiliation. We honor and remember these individuals regardless of their faith, recognizing that their sacrifice reflects universal values of self-giving, care for others, and service to the common good.
By keeping their memory alive, we renew our commitment to continue working for peace, justice, and charity in Somalia, inspired by their example and their enduring legacy.