ADCS-establishment, Structure, Mission, Vision and Objectives

The roots of the present ADCS were first planted on 11th November 1976 with the "Adigrat Social Action Committee". Food for work programmes were initiated and the agenda included the digging of wells, road construction, soil conservation, building a grain store as well as other social and welfare activities. These items illustrate how from it very humble beginning the "Committee" is considered the orientation of its work. In 1979 a Branch Office was established in Mekele. Out of the "Committee's" preoccupation with roads and soil conservation the Adigrat Diocesan Development Action (ADDA) was born and began to develop under the professional direction of Dr. Bruno Strebel and funded by Swiss Caritas and MISEREOR (Germany).

While trying to cope with the famine of 1984-86 the administration and management of the ASAC was pushed to breaking point. Consequently, it was reorganized in 1987 and became officially the ADCS. The overall aims were the co-ordination and facilitation of the pastoral, social and developmental activities of the Eparchy of Adigrat, and that included the office in Adigrat as well as the area coordination branch office in Mekele.

As diocesan socio-pastoral and development coordinating office of the Catholic Church, established in 1987, ADCS is a faith based non for profit organization mandated to initiate, plan, execute and coordinate the pastoral, social and development interventions of Ethiopian Catholic Church, in the diocese of Adigrat.

Beginning in October 2001 the whole reorganization and restructuring of the ADCS was embarked on. The process involved putting in place standard and transparent financial procedures and the establishment of efficient managerial and programmatic systems

In order to revise its new vision, mission, goals and strategic directions, ADCS has done a thorough analysis of its past performance and identified lessons learnt from its different interventions in November 2005

ADCS' Vison

ADCS, in communion with God envisions a world in which His Kingdom reigns through the realization of society’s integral needs and where all people live in harmony.

ADCS' Mission

ADCS is a non- profit making Church organization established to respond to the spiritual and physical needs of all people regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion and race. ADCS promotes integral human development through effective coordination and implementation of pastoral, social and development activities in a sustainable way.

ADCS focuses on the poorest of the poor, vulnerable and support their empowerment for self reliance guided and inspired by gospel values: such as Love, Respect for human dignity, Justice, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Common good and Respect for culture. Our success is defined by the positive changes we help people to make in their own lives.

Although the emphasis of ADCS’ work is at grassroots level, the sustenance of development depends heavily on a pro-poor development policy environment. ADCS is committed to playing a role at this level through its research, advocacy and lobbying works.

ADCS believes that integral human development is a complex process requiring a strong dedication to learning, sharing of knowledge and experience. Our works, therefore, are based on the service of highly committed, competent and professional staff. ADCS works in partnership with like-minded organizations, governmental institutions and partner to achieve its ends.

Organizational Structure and Management

The Board of Governors led by the Bishop administers the Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS). Members of the Board of Governors are drawn from the laity, diocesan clergy throughout the eparchy and congregations, who oversee and administer the secretariat’s activities through the Secretary General who manages the over all activities of the secretariat along with the executive management committee of the secretariat and reports to the board occasionally.
Led by the Secretary General the ADCS is organized under two main segments, the Pastoral Activities Coordinating Office (PACO) and the Social and Development Coordinating Office (SDCO), through which majority of the Church's socio-pastoral and development projects coordinated and executed.  While implementing and coordinating these interventions, ADCS has a branch office in Mekelle (the capital city of Tigray Region), and a project office in Shire-Endaselassie (Northwest Tigray).

Operational   Area

The Adigrat Diocese was erected in February 1961 in place of the ‘Apostolic prefecture of Tigray’ which had been established on 25th March, 1937 and detached from the ‘Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia’ that dated to 1847.
Today, the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat covers the whole Regional State of Tigray, approximately 80,000 Km2 and Zone 2 of the Afar Region, about 52,000 Km2, a total area of approx.132, 000 Km2.  Geographically, Tigray region lies between 12015’ – 140 27’ N to 360 27’- 390 59’E.

ADCS is a non- profit making Church organization established to respond to the spiritual and physical needs of all people regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion and race. ADCS promotes integral human development through effective coordination and implementation of pastoral, social and development activities in a sustainable way.

ADCS focuses on the poorest of the poor, vulnerable and support their empowerment for self reliance guided and inspired by gospel values: such as Love, Respect for human dignity, Justice, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Common good and Respect for culture. Our success is defined by the positive changes we help people to make in their own lives.

Although the emphasis of ADCS’ work is at grassroots level, the sustenance of development depends heavily on a pro-poor development policy environment. ADCS is committed to playing a role at this level through its research, advocacy and lobbying works.

ADCS believes that integral human development is a complex process requiring a strong dedication to learning, sharing of knowledge and experience. Our works, therefore, are based on the service of highly committed, competent and professional staff. ADCS works in partnership with like-minded organizations, governmental institutions and partner to achieve its ends.

Organizational Structure and Management

The Board of Governors led by the Bishop administers the Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS). Members of the Board of Governors are drawn from the laity, diocesan clergy throughout the eparchy and congregations, who oversee and administer the secretariat’s activities through the Secretary General who manages the over all activities of the secretariat along with the executive management committee of the secretariat and reports to the board occasionally.
Led by the Secretary General the ADCS is organized under two main segments, the Pastoral Activities Coordinating Office (PACO) and the Social and Development Coordinating Office (SDCO), through which majority of the Church's socio-pastoral and development projects coordinated and executed.  While implementing and coordinating these interventions, ADCS has a branch office in Mekelle (the capital city of Tigray Region), and a project office in Shire-Endaselassie (Northwest Tigray).

Operational   Area

The Adigrat Diocese was erected in February 1961 in place of the ‘Apostolic prefecture of Tigray’ which had been established on 25th March, 1937 and detached from the ‘Apostolic Vicariate of Abyssinia’ that dated to 1847.
Today, the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat covers the whole Regional State of Tigray, approximately 80,000 Km2 and Zone 2 of the Afar Region, about 52,000 Km2, a total area of approx.132, 000 Km2.  Geographically, Tigray region lies between 12015’ – 140 27’ N to 360 27’- 390 59’E.