AFRICA/NIGERIA - Auxiliary Bishop of Makurdi appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on November 28, 2008, appointed Father William Avenya, of the clergy of Diocese of Makurdi, Secretary General of the AECWA, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Makurdi (Nigeria), assigning him the titular see of Tucca di Mauritania.
Fr. William Avenya was born on June 21, 1955 in Ishangev Tiev, Konshisha Local Government Area, Benue State, Diocese of Makurdi. After having attended St. Gabriel's Secondary School, he did his ecclesial studies at the Major Seminary in Jos (1975-1981). He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1981 for the Diocese of Makurdi. In 2000, he earned a degree in Management and Development of Non-Governmental Organizations from Galilee College, Israel, and upon his return to his homeland, began serving as Secretary General of the AECWA. Since his ordination, he has ministered as follows: 1981-1982: for a brief time, pastor of Saint Charles' Parish in Adoka and later parish vicar of St. William Church in Lafia; 1982-1984: moved to Liberia to teach in the Major Seminary in Gbarnga; 1984-1989: studies in England, for a Masters in Education and Doctorate in Philosophy, at the University of Manchester; 1989-1990: "Acting Medical Administrator" in Makurdi; 1990-1996: Director of "Catholic Education Services" in Makurdi. Since 1996, he has served as Secretary General of the AECWA. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 28/11/2008)