AFRICA/NIGERIA - The Pope appoints Auxiliary Bishop of di Awka

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 20 January 2007, appointed Rev. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor until now Rector of Awka minor seminary, Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese of Awka (Nigeria) assigning to him the Titular See of Tetci.
Bishop elect Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor was born on 13 September 1952, at Nanka, diocese of Awka, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. He attended minor seminary in Ukpor (1969-1970) and went on to study philosophy at the major seminary of Ikot Ekpene 1976 and 1979 and theology at Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu, 1979 - 1984. He was ordained a priest on 30 June 1984 for the diocese of Awka. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1984-1988: first assistant priest and then parish priest at All Saints parish Awgbu; 1984-1992: Chaplain of the Blue Army Our Lady of Fatima World Apostolate and Diocesan Tribunal notary; 1992-1995: Studies for a degree in moral theology at Santa Croce University, Rome. Since 1996 rector of St Dominic Savio minor seminary in Akpu. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/1/2007; Righe 13; Parole 190)