AFRICA/NIGERIA - Appointment of the Bishop of Ikot Ekpene

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, on 16 July 2010, appointed as Bishop of the diocese of Ikot Ekpene (Nigeria) Rev. Camillus Raymond Umoh, Professor at Catholic Institute of West Africa in Port Harcourt.
Rev. Camillus Raymond Umoh was born on 18 July 1956 in Nto Iblam, Okon Clan, Essien Udim L.G.A., AKWA Ibon State, diocese of Ikot Ekpene. After primary school (St. Mary’s School in Ikot Utim and St. Michael's School at Midim-Abak), from 1971 to 1975 he attended Queen of Apostles minor Seminary. He completed his studies in philosophy at St. Joseph major Seminary in Ikot Ekpene (1976-1980) and in theology at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu (1980-1984). He was ordained a priest on 7 July 1984, for the diocese of Ikot Ekpene. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1984 - 1986: assistant priest at St. John’s Parish, Abak; 1986 - 1988: parish priest at St. Alban’s, Inen; 1988 – 1991: Masters in Biblical Theology at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (C.I.W.A.); 1991 - 1993: Bishop's secretary at Ikot Ekpene; 1993 – 1999: Studies for a doctorate in Sacred Scripture at the Institute for Philosophy and Theology at Sankt Georgen Hochschule, Frankfurt, Germany; since 2000: Professor of Sacred Scripture at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt.
The diocese of Ikot Ekpene (1963), suffragan of the archdiocese of Calabar, has an area of 2,263sq km and a population of 986,032, including 109,812 Catholics. There are 37 parishes served by 93 priests (90 diocesan, 3 religious), 35 Brothers, 84 Sisters and 56 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/07/2010)