Calabar (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, Archbishop
Joseph Edra Ukpo, Archbishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Elevated: 26 March 1994
Metropolitan See
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Nigeria
Square Kilometers: 7,754 (2,994 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Catholic Secretariat, P.M.B. 1044, Bishop Moynagh Ave., Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Telephone: (087)231.666

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Calabar
- Latin Name: Calabarensis
- Erected: 9 July 1934
- Country: Nigeria
Vicariate Apostolic of Calabar
- Latin Name: Calabarensis
- Elevated: 12 June 1947
- Vicariate
- Country: Nigeria
Diocese of Calabar
- Latin Name: Calabarensis
- Elevated: 18 April 1950
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Onitsha
- Country: Nigeria

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Calabar
9 July 1934	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Western Nigeria {Nigeria Occidentale}	Prefecture Apostolic of Calabar (erected)
13 March 1938	Territory Lost	Prefecture Apostolic of Calabar	Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Calabar
12 June 1947	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Calabar	Vicariate Apostolic of Calabar
Diocese of Calabar
18 April 1950	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Calabar	Diocese of Calabar
1 March 1963	Territory Lost	Diocese of Calabar	Diocese of Ikot Ekpene (erected)
4 July 1989	Territory Lost	Diocese of Calabar	Diocese of Uyo (erected)
Archdiocese of Calabar
26 March 1994	Elevated	Diocese of Calabar	Archdiocese of Calabar

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Diocese of Calabar

1950 67,707 899,503 7.5% 1 37 38 1,781 34 ap1951

1958 100,798 1,541,000 6.5% 3 3 33,599 5 20 ap1960

1970 170,632 1,920,401 8.9% 12 12 14,219 119 31 ap1971

1980 394,800 2,809,000 14.1% 27 16 43 9,181 25 43 53 ap1981

1990 150,000 2,500,000 6.0% 13 3 16 9,375 3 42 17 ap1991

Archdiocese of Calabar

1999 178,528 3,005,850 5.9% 32 3 35 5,100 3 30 31 ap2000

2000 184,585 3,505,420 5.3% 34 3 37 4,988 3 39 32 ap2001

2001 187,197 3,509,032 5.3% 36 4 40 4,679 4 42 32 ap2002

2002 189,537 2,301,762 8.2% 34 4 38 4,987 4 40 35 ap2003

2003 191,037 2,304,349 8.3% 37 4 41 4,659 4 40 36 ap2004

2004 191,004 2,303,267 8.3% 37 9 46 4,152 9 52 36 ap2005

2006 322,085 1,084,056 29.7% 41 5 46 7,001 7 57 44 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Calabar
1950	67,707	899,503	7.5%	1	37	38	1,781		34		ap1951
1958	100,798	1,541,000	6.5%	3		3	33,599		5	20	ap1960
1970	170,632	1,920,401	8.9%	12		12	14,219		119	31	ap1971
1980	394,800	2,809,000	14.1%	27	16	43	9,181	25	43	53	ap1981
1990	150,000	2,500,000	6.0%	13	3	16	9,375	3	42	17	ap1991
Archdiocese of Calabar
1999	178,528	3,005,850	5.9%	32	3	35	5,100	3	30	31	ap2000
2000	184,585	3,505,420	5.3%	34	3	37	4,988	3	39	32	ap2001
2001	187,197	3,509,032	5.3%	36	4	40	4,679	4	42	32	ap2002
2002	189,537	2,301,762	8.2%	34	4	38	4,987	4	40	35	ap2003
2003	191,037	2,304,349	8.3%	37	4	41	4,659	4	40	36	ap2004
2004	191,004	2,303,267	8.3%	37	9	46	4,152	9	52	36	ap2005
2006	322,085	1,084,056	29.7%	41	5	46	7,001	7	57	44	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Dominic Ignatius Ekandem † (Priest: 7 Dec 1947; Auxiliary Bishop: 7 Aug 1953 to 1 Mar 1963)
James Moynagh, S.P.S. † (Prefect: 26 Oct 1934; Vicar Apostolic: 12 Jun 1947; Bishop: 18 Apr 1950 to 5 Feb 1970)
Brian David Usanga † (Priest: 8 Dec 1956; Auxiliary Bishop: 5 Aug 1966; Bishop: 5 Feb 1970; Archbishop: 26 May 1994 to 17 Dec 2003)

Archdiocese of Calabar

Archidioecesis Calabarensis

Bishop(s)

Suffragan Dioceses

General Information

Historical Details

Past and Present Ordinaries

Historical Summary

Statistics

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased