• Appoints Parish Priests
• Takes effects on January 22, 2021
By Kingsley Onyenekwe
The creation of five new Deaneries has necessitated the appointment of new Deans coupled with transfer of some Deans and Priests. About three weeks ago, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos added five new Deaneries making a total of twenty Deaneries. Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos disclosed the creation of the new Deaneries at the Priestly Ordination ceremony held on December 18, 2020 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos. The Archdiocesan December Special Circular signed by His Grace, Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins and made available to lay faithful explained that the creation was for effective evangelization of the Archdiocese. According to the special circular, the new Deaneries are Ilemba and Ijanikin Deaneries created from Badagry Deanery; Ijede Deanery formerly under Ikorodu Deanery; as well as Iba and Ajah Deaneries which were carved from Isolo and Epe Deaneries. “This brings the number of Deaneries to a total of twenty (20).
These units of the Church are meant to facilitate the work of evangelization while we await the will of God for our Archdiocese as we look to the future,” Archbishop Martins stated. The newly appointed Deans are Very Rev. Fr. George Anibuike (Badagry Deanery), Very Rev. Fr. Martin Iweze (Ijanikin Deanery), Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Iwu (Iba Deanery), Very Rev. Fr. Kingsley Oritseweyimi (Ilemba Deanery) and Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Akinsowon (Ajah Deanery), Others include Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Amolegbe (Epe Deanery), Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ngene (Agege Deanery), Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Okhuelegbe (Isolo Deanery), Very Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu (Ipaja Deanery) and Very Rev. Fr. Joe Ben Onyia (Ijede Deanery). Only two Deans were transferred. While Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Nnaemeka, currently Dean of Agege will assume the office of Very Rev. Msgr. Anthony Erinle, Dean of Apapa Deanery, the later was reassigned to Surulere Deanery. While commending all the Deans who have been piloting the affairs of the Deaneries all this time, Archbishop Martins appreciated in particular, Very Rev. Frs. Stephen Enearu, Ethelbert Ukpabi and Matthew Ogunyase for the dedicated services they have rendered to God in the Archdiocese.
“May God bless them as they continue to labour in the Lord’s vineyard”, His Grace prayed. A total of twenty-two Parish Priests were appointed and transferred while a total of sixteen Associate Priests were posted and transferred. The Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos further stated that the appointments is with the view to enhancing the evangelization mission of the Church in our Archdiocese and renewing the vigour with which the clergy carries out pastoral care of Christ’s faithful. “We expect everyone to give their very best, indeed give all they have to ensure growth of the faithful and its practice among our people.” He however implored all Parish Priests and Priests-in-charge who are having to move from one Parish to another to ensure that they prepare the required documents which includes Hand-over notes, Parish accounts and an inventory of the Goods of the Church entrusted to their care. On a final note the Chief Shepherd commended all the Priests to the care of Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy and Star of Evangelization, as he wished all who have new assignments the best of God’s blessings.
