Pope Francis Elevates Bomadi Catholic Vicariate to Diocese

Thousands of Catholics within and outside Nigeria converged to celebrate the elevation of the Bomadi vicariate, Delta State, to diocese and the installation of His Lordship Most Rev, Dr. Hyacinth Egbebo as its first bishop.

Pope Francis, represented by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria (Pope’s representative to the country) Archbishop, Antonio Guido Filipazzi at the celebration in Bomadi, said that the Vatican’s approval of the Bomadi vicariate to diocese followed its overwhelming physical and spiritual growth.

Pope Francis said the Vatican was impressed by the growth considering its geography which is in the “heart of Niger Delta,” tasking the diocese to continue in its mission in evangelism to areas where the church is not established.

Earlier, His Grace, Most Rev, Augustine Akubueze, Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, Edo State, in his address, gave the historical development of the Bomadi diocese as being created from the Warri and Port Harcourt diocese, explaining that it now comprised three local government areas of Delta State, the whole of Bayelsa State and two local government area of Rivers State.

He said, “It was created as “mission sui iuris (Jurisdiction) in 1991 and placed under pastoral care of St Patrick’s Society, Kiltegan Ireland. It was inaugurated on March 19, 1992 with Msgr. Thomas V. Greenan SPS as Ecclesiastical Superior. Five years later, it was elevated to the status of a Vicariate and Msgr Joseph Egerega, a retired Navy Capt of NN was ordained Apostolic Vicar and installed first Bishop of the Vicariate May 15, 1997.”

His Lordship Joseph Egerega retired in April 2009, died February 3, 2013 and was buried March 14, 2013. On February 2, 2008, His Lordship Most Rev Sr Hyacinth Egbebo msp was ordained Auxiliary Bishop. On September 21, 2017,His Holiness, Pope Francis 1 approved the elevation of Bomadi Vicariate to the status of a Diocese after 25years. The Canonical Erection of the Diocese and the Installation of Most Rev Sr Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo as the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi.

Akubueze reiterated that, the height attend by diocese was not a final journey noting the journey of the Church must continue, so that the coming of Christ is realized, he stressed.

On his part, His Grace, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop diocese of Jos in his Homily called for unity amongst the people explained that our unity lies in our diversity.

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