Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop For Catholic Diocese Of Ogoja

Roman Catholic Pope, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Akwa Ibom State born Rev. Fr. Donatus Edet Akpan as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, Cross River State, to fill the vacant bishopric position, after John Ebebe Ayah, erstwhile bishop of the diocese was moved by the church to the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, in circumstances top church sources say was a move to checkmate the politicization of the bishopric position in Akwa Ibom State, www.calitown.com can authoritatively reveal.

Akpan, presently the parish priest of Holy Rosary Church, Wuse, Abuja Archdiocese, was born on August 7, 1952 in Ikot Ada Utor, Essien Udim Local Govt Area of Akwa Ibom State. In a statement signed by Ralph Madu, Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, it was revealed that the new bishop studied Philosophy and Theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu and was ordained a priest on October 12, 1985 at St Anne’s Cathedral Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene by Most Rev Fitzgibon of Port Harcourt Diocese at the instance of His Eminence, Dominic Cardinal Ekandem. He did his higher studies at the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he obtained a Master’s degree in Theology and a postgraduate Diploma in Education (PDGE).

In 1989 he was directed by his bishop, late Dominic Cardin by Most Rev Fitzgibon of Port Harcourt Diocese at the instance of His Eminence, Dominic Cardinal Ekandem al Ekandem, who was the Administrator of the Independent Mission of Abuja, to come over to Abuja and work. Besides having been Parish Priest in several parishes in the Archdiocese of Abuja, he was also Rector of the SS Simon and Jude Seminary, Kuje, Abuja.
He will be ordained Bishop-elect at a date to be announced soon.