Diocese of Ogoja

Dioecesis Ogogiaensis

Bishop(s)

John Ebebe Ayah, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 1 January 1955
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Calabar
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Nigeria
Square Kilometers: 12,557 (4,850 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27, Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria
Telephone: (087)424.012

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja
- Latin Name: Ogogiaensis
- Erected: 13 March 1938
- Country: Nigeria

Past and Present Ordinaries

Patrick Joseph Whitney, S.P.S. † ( 1938 Appointed - 1939 Resigned)
Thomas McGettrick, S.P.S. † (10 Nov 1939 Appointed - 1 Mar 1973 Appointed, Bishop of Abakaliki)
Joseph Edra Ukpo (1 Mar 1973 Appointed - 17 Dec 2003 Appointed, Archbishop of Calabar)
John Ebebe Ayah (14 Oct 2006 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja
13 March 1938	Erected	Prefecture Apostolic of Calabar	Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja (erected)
Diocese of Ogoja
1 January 1955	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja	Diocese of Ogoja
1 March 1973	Territory Lost	Diocese of Ogoja	Diocese of Abakaliki (erected)

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

Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja

1950 9,452 750,000 1.3% 14 14 675 11 6 ap1951

Diocese of Ogoja

1970 135,000 1,602,533 8.4% 6 4 10 13,500 4 53 21 ap1971

1980 103,710 896,000 11.6% 15 14 29 3,576 14 35 ap1981

1990 180,374 1,217,000 14.8% 18 7 25 7,214 10 82 19 ap1991

1999 259,243 2,074,750 12.5% 33 3 36 7,201 3 42 22 ap2000

2000 269,749 2,100,000 12.8% 40 1 41 6,579 1 42 26 ap2001

2001 282,381 1,315,662 21.5% 48 1 49 5,762 1 47 28 ap2002

2002 297,891 1,465,663 20.3% 46 2 48 6,206 2 45 32 ap2003

2003 313,544 1,524,289 20.6% 58 3 61 5,140 3 46 36 ap2004

2004 332,373 1,536,294 21.6% 64 3 67 4,960 5 49 38 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Ogoja
1950	9,452	750,000	1.3%	14		14	675		11	6	ap1951
Diocese of Ogoja
1970	135,000	1,602,533	8.4%	6	4	10	13,500	4	53	21	ap1971
1980	103,710	896,000	11.6%	15	14	29	3,576	14	35		ap1981
1990	180,374	1,217,000	14.8%	18	7	25	7,214	10	82	19	ap1991
1999	259,243	2,074,750	12.5%	33	3	36	7,201	3	42	22	ap2000
2000	269,749	2,100,000	12.8%	40	1	41	6,579	1	42	26	ap2001
2001	282,381	1,315,662	21.5%	48	1	49	5,762	1	47	28	ap2002
2002	297,891	1,465,663	20.3%	46	2	48	6,206	2	45	32	ap2003
2003	313,544	1,524,289	20.6%	58	3	61	5,140	3	46	36	ap2004
2004	332,373	1,536,294	21.6%	64	3	67	4,960	5	49	38	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

John Ebebe Ayah (Priest: 24 Jul 1993; Bishop: 14 Oct 2006 - )
Joseph Edra Ukpo (Priest: 25 Apr 1965; Auxiliary Bishop: 24 Apr 1971; Bishop: 1 Mar 1973 to 17 Dec 2003)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Thomas McGettrick, S.P.S. † (Prefect: 10 Nov 1939; Bishop: 1 Jan 1955 to 1 Mar 1973)
Patrick Joseph Whitney, S.P.S. † (Prefect: 1938 to 1939)