AFRICA/NIGERIA - Appointment of Auxiliary of Port Harcourt

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 12 February 2019 the Holy Father appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt (Nigeria) the Rev. Patrick Eluke, of the clergy of Port Harcourt, currently pastor of the Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Rumuokwuta, assigning him the titular see of Fotice.
The Rev. Patrick Eluke was born on 25 March 1967 in Ekpeye, Ahoada, Rivers State, in the Diocese of Port Harcourt. After primary school, he entered the Sacred Heart local minor seminary and continued with courses in Philosophy in the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene, and in Theology in the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, Enugu. He obtained a civil doctorate in biblical Studies at the University of Port Harcourt. He was ordained a priest on 23 September 1995, and incardinated in the diocese of Port Harcourt.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: 1995-1966: parish vicar of Saint Anthony’s parish, Igwuruta; 1996-1997: pastor of Saint Bernard’s parish, Biara; 1997-2002: pastor of Saint Dominic’s parish, Bane, and Saint Francis’ parish, Kpean; 1997-2005: Pastor of Saint Paul’s parish, Ngo; 2005-2007: Pastor of the Saints Peter and Paul parish, Elenlenwo; 2007-2012: Pastor of the Queen of the Apostles parish, Rumuepirikom; 2012-2013: Pastor of the Sacred Heart parish, Mile II Diobu; 2013-2015: Chaplain of the Annunciation Chaplaincy, University of Port Harcourt; Since 2014: Lecturer in Biblical Studies, University of Port Harcourt; Since 2015: Parish priest of the Saint Francis of Assisi parish, Rumuokwuta; Since 2016: Director of diocesan Pastoral vocational ministry. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 13/2/2019)