Pope Francis Creates New Catholic Diocese in Nigeria, Appoints Pioneer Bishop

Wukari, 14 December, 2022 / 9:20 PM

Pope Francis has announced the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari in Nigeria and appointed Mons. Mark Maigida Nzukwein the Diocese’s first Bishop.

The erection of the new Catholic Diocese in Africa’s most populous nation and appointment of the pioneer Bishop of the new Episcopal See was made public by the Holy See Press office on Wednesday, December 14.

The Diocese of Wukari has been curved from the Diocese of Jalingo, making it suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Jos.

Until his appointment as the new Local Ordinary of Wukari Diocese, Mons. Maigida has been serving as Rector of St. Augustine's Major Seminary in Jos.

Born in 1969 in Jenuwa Nyifiye in the Diocese of Jalingo, the Bishop-elect was enrolled for his Philosophy studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi from 1987 to 1990 and for his Theology studies at St. Augustine's Major Seminary in Jos from 1991 to 1995.

He was ordained a Priest on 15 July 1995 for the Diocese of Jalingo.

As a Priest, the Bishop-elect served in different capacities, including Parish Vicar, Parish Priest, Diocesan Chaplain for Youth, Secretary to the Bishop of Jalingo, and Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Missionary Works, among other Priestly responsibilities. 

Mons. Maigida studied for a Licentiate in Catechesis and Youth Pedagogy at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome between 1999 and 2002.