Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja is the Metropolitan See for the Ecclesiastical province of Abuja in Nigeria.

For the Diocese of Abuja in the Anglican Church of Nigeria, see Abuja Province.

Archdiocese of Abuja

Archidioecesis Abugensis
Location
Country Nigeria
TerritoryAbuja Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)
Ecclesiastical provinceAbuja
MetropolitanAbuja
Deaneries6, Garki, Wuse, Bwari, Gwagwalada Karu, Lugbe
Coordinates9°4′0″N 7°29′0″E
Statistics
Area8,000 km2 (3,100 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics (including non-members)		(as of 2012)
2,991,000
538,000 (17.9%)
Parishes46
Schools51
Information
DenominationRoman Catholic
RiteLatin Rite
Established6 November 1981
CathedralOur Lady, Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
Metropolitan ArchbishopIgnatius Ayau Kaigama
Auxiliary BishopsAnselm Umoren, MSPN
Vicar GeneralInnocent Jooji
Bishops emeritusJohn Onaiyekan
Map

Federal Capital Territory
Website
catholicarchdioceseofabuja.org
[1][2]

History
  • 8 November 1981: Established as Mission sui iuris of Abuja from the Diocese of Minna
  • 19 June 1989: Promoted to the Diocese of Abuja
  • 26 March 1994: Promoted to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Abuja

Special churches

The seat of the archbishop is Our Lady, Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral located in Area 3, Garki district, in Abuja near the secretariate of the Archdiocese of Abuja. It was dedicated by John Cardinal Onaiyekan on Saturday, 12 January 2012.[3]

Bishops
Ecclesiastical Superiors
Bishops
  • Cardinal Dominic Ignatius Ekandem (see above 19 June 1989 – 28 September 1992), simultaneously became Archbishop (personal title)
  • John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan (7 July 1990 as coadjutor, 28 September 1992 – 26 March 1994 see below); future Cardinal
Metropolitan Archbishops

Auxiliary Bishop
  • Anselm Umoren, M.S.P.N. (2011-)

Suffragan dioceses

History

From November 2020 through January 2021, a rash of kidnappings have troubled the archdiocesan territory and its surroundings. On 22 November, the parish priest of St. Anthony in Yangogi was abducted at gunpoint. Held captive for 10 days, he was released. 344 schoolboys were abducted from Kankara in Katsina. Held for six days, they were rescued by security forces on 17 December. Boko Haram claimed responsibility but this is disputed, says the Catholic News Agency. On 27 December, auxiliary bishop of Owerri, Moses Chikwe and his driver were abducted by gunmen, to be released unharmed. Valentine Ezeagu, a religious priest, was kidnapped by gunmen in Imo whilst en route to his father's funeral. Five young siblings were kidnapped from behind an Abuja rectory, and then a bride-to-be the following day, and as of 25 November 2020, none had been located or heard from. As of December 2020, Nigeria has been listed by the United States Department of State as one of the worst countries in terms of freedom of religion. Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama has called the faithful to be strong in their faith, and to presevere in their prayers with hope for everyone's release.[6]

Catholic television

In 2009, John Cardinal Onaiyekan was invited by Raymond Dokpesi, chief of the satellite television company DAAR Communications Plc, to offer programming through the company's services. In response to the opportunity, Cardinal Oneiyaken directed the Archdiocesan Communications Department to start a television service. Catholic Television of Nigeria started producing programs and transmitting them via DAAR's satellite television channel AIT.

As of 2016, CTV of Nigeria produces two programs, the daily morning devotional program "A Light For The Nation" and "Faith In Action", a program about the activity of Catholics and the Church in society.

Cardinal Oneiyaken has continued to call for the building of Catholic television services in Nigeria.[7]

Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku is the Director of the CTV.

See also

Sources

References
  1. Annuario Pontificio 2012, p. 17
  2. http://www.catholicarchdioceseofabuja.org/index.php/archdiocesan-posts
  3. http://nigeriapolitico.net/photo-news/1251-dedication-of-our-lady-queen-of-nigeria-pro-cathedral-abuja.html
  4. "Resignations and Assignments, 09.11.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  5. http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=IE8Activity&a=http%3A%2F%2Fpress.catholica.va%2Fnews_services%2Fbulletin%2Fnews%2F30256.php%3Findex%3D30256%26po_date%3D29.12.2012%26lang%3Den
  6. Staff, C. N. A. "Nigerian archbishop denounces 'nefarious' kidnappings". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  7. http://pulse.ng/religion/spreading-the-gospel-abuja-catholic-diocese-to-launch-tv-station-id3346681.html
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