Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 2 April 2016, the Holy Father appointed Rev. John Akin Oyejola of the clergy of Oyo, Priest and Director of the Diocesan Center for Family Ministry, as Bishop of Osogbo (Nigeria).
The new Bishop was born on May 8, 1963 in Aawe, Diocese of Oyo. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan. He was ordained a priest on October 5, 1991 for the Diocese of Oyo. Since his ordination he has served the following academic and pastoral roles: 1991-1993: Assistant priest of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, in Ile-Ife; 1993-1995: Pastor of St. Francis Parish, in Modakeke; 1995-1997: Diocesan Director for Vocations; 1991-1997: Diocesan Chaplain of the young; 1992-1997: Diocesan Director for the Biblical Apostolate; 1997-1998: Diploma in Humanities in the All Hallows' College led by the PP. Vincentians in Dublin, Ireland; 1998-1999: Master's in Pastoral Leadership in the All Hallows' College, Dublin, Ireland; 1999-2004: Pastor of St. Ferdinand Parish, in Ogbomoso; 1999-2011: Member of the Board of Consultants; 2004-2010: National Director of Religious Educators in Nigeria; 2004-2011: Regional Director of the Pastoral Institute; 2011-2015: Master's in Marriage & Family Therapy at St. Mary's College in California, USA. During that period he served in the parish of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Concord, California, and at the same time Internal counsellor of Catholic Charities in Oakland (2013-2014) and Chaplain of the Community Hospital and Catholic Charities in Monterey, Peninsula, California (2014-2015); since 2015: he has been pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church, in Apaara, Oyo, and in charge of the family pastoral Center of the diocese, open to priests, religious and laity. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 04/04/2016)
