The Holy Father Pope Leo has appointed Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Anaezichukwu Obodo as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South Eastern Nigeria.
The appointment was announced around April 13, 2026, shortly after the vacancy occurred following the death of the substantive Bishop of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu, who passed away on 11 April 2026.
Background, Priestly Ordination and Episcopal Consecration
The Bishop who hails from Awha-Imezi in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Enugu on 22 July 2000.
Before this appointment, he served as the Rector of St. Bernard Senior Seminary Hostel and a Lecturer at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu.
The Holy Father Pope Francis appointed him as the first Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Nigeria, on 25 May 2018.
Consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop on 31 August 2018 at a ceremony which had Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, the then-Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria as Principal Consecrator, he has “Ergo in medio vestrum sum sicut qui ministrat” (I am among you as one who serves) as episcopal motto.
Key Details about the Appointment
Bishop Obodo continues to serve as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Enugu, alongside the Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Callistus Onaga while managing Abakaliki Diocese.
As administrator, he is granted the powers and responsibilities necessary to oversee the spiritual and administrative affairs of the diocese until a new substantive bishop is appointed by the Holy Father.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Eberechukwu Kelechukwu MaryKizito.
