Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has (14 November 2003) appointed Bishop of Issele-Uku in Nigeria, Reverend Father Michael Odogwu Elue, Dean of Theology at Uhiele major seminary.
The Bishop elect was born on 4 April 1956 at Ute-Ogbeje, in the Issele-Uku diocese. He was educated in Nigeria and then studied in Rome at the Biblical Theology at the Gregorian University and in Jerusalem where he obtained a Degree in Biblical Theology. He was ordained a priest on 18 August 1984.
He has since been: assistant priest, formator at St John’s Seminary, Year of Spirituality, Parish priest, Dean of Theology, professor and formator at All Saints major seminary in Uhiele. He is a member of the Council of Consultors of the archdiocese of Benin City.
The diocese of Issele-Uku (1973) is a suffragan with the dioceses of Auchi, and Warri of the metropolitan See of Benin City. It has an area of 3,011,000 sq. km., and a population of 883,790. There are 275,300 Catholics gathered in 36 parishes, assisted by 65 priests (57 diocesan, 8 religious); 17 Brothers, 83 women Religious and 81 major seminarians.
(Fides Service 9/12/2003 EM lines 38 Words: 478)
