The Nunciature has released a statement addressed to the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, notifying the Archdiocese of the decision of the Dicastery for Evangelization to appoint Most Rev. DONATUS OGUN, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi as administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City in the interim. Find below the details of the LETTER…
APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE
IN NIGERIA
N° 2415/26
Abuja, 10 July 2026
Dear Fr Oyanoafoh,
Following the notification of the untimely and sudden death of His Grace the Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, the Holy See has decided to make provision for the interim governance of the Archdiocese of Benin City while it remains vacant.
I wish to inform you, therefore, that the Dicastery for Evangelization, after due consideration and with faculties granted to it by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, has appointed the Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, O.S.A., Bishop of Uromi, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Benin City, pending the appointment of the new Archbishop.
The above appointment is effective immediately; therefore, I kindly request you to notify the clergy of the Archdiocese, upon receipt of this letter.
Once again, accept my sincerest condolences as I extend to you, the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Benin City the assurances of my prayers during this time of mourning and loss.
Yours sincerely in the Lord,
(Signed)
✠ Michael F. Crotty
Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria
Care of Rev. Fr Michael OYANOAFOH
Chancellor
Archdiocese of Benin City
BENIN CITY
For our post on the official notification of death of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Benin City see HERE.
May God grant Bishop DONATUS OGUN the grace and strength to carry out this pastoral duty, Amen.
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