Roman Catholic Diocese of Oyo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oyo (Latin: Oyoën(sis)) is a Latin suffragan diocese in the Ecclesiastical province of Ibadan, also in Nigeria, yet still depends on the missionary Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Diocese of Oyo Dioecesis Oyoensis | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country |  |
| Territory | Oyo State |
| Ecclesiastical province | Ibadan |
| Metropolitan | Archbishop of Ibadan |
| Coordinates | 7°51′00″N 3°55′59″E |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 18,000 km2 (6,900 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2004) 2,031,660 30,200 (1.5%) |
| Parishes | 26 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | January 18, 1963 |
| Cathedral | Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Oyo |
| Secular priests | 47 |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo |
| Bishops emeritus | Julius Babatunde Adelakun |
| Map | |
 Oyo is located in Oyo State which is shown in red. | |
| Website | |
| www.catholicdioceseoyo.org | |
History
The Apostolic Prefecture of Oyo was erected on territory split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Lagos on March 3, 1949.
On January 18, 1963 it was promoted to the Diocese of Oy, with the Archdiocese of Ibadan as its Metropolitan.[1] On March 3, 1995, portions of the Diocese were removed to the nearly erected Diocese of Osgobo.[1]
Special churches
The bishops' seat is Oyo Cathedral, otherwise the cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Oyo.[2]
Statistics
As per 2014 it pastorally served 36,542 Roman Catholics in a 18,000 square kilometres (6,900 sq mi), predominately Muslim, area.[2] (1.7% of 2,177,100 total) in 28 parishes and 3 missions with 51 priests (48 diocesan, 3 religious), 44 lay religious (3 brothers, 41 sisters) and 17 seminarians.
As of 2004, the dioceses consisted of 26 parishes and was served by 47 priests and 43 religious.[3]
Bishops
(all Roman Rite)
- Apostolic Prefect of Oyo
- Father Owen McCoy, White Fathers (M. Afr.) (1 April 1949 – 18 January 1963 see below ↓)
- Suffragan Bishops of Oyo
- Owen McCoy, M. Afr. (↑ see above 18 January 1963 – retired 12 April 1973)
- Julius Babatunde Adelakun (13 April 1973 – retired 4 November 2009); previously Auxiliary Bishop of Oyo and Titular Bishop of Thunigaba (1972.11.16 – 1973.04.13)
- Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo (4 November 2009 – ), succeeding as former Coadjutor Bishop of Oyo (2007.08.14 – 2009.11.04)
Coadjutor Bishop
- Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo (2007-2009)
Auxiliary Bishops
- Julius Babatunde Adelakun (1972-1973), appointed Bishop here
- Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (1971-1972), appointed auxiliary bishop of Lagos; future Cardinal
Other priests of this diocese who became bishops
- Gabriel ’Leke Abegunrin, appointed Bishop of Osogbo in 1995
- Francis Obafemi Adesina (priest here, 1989-1995), appointed Bishop of Ijebu-Ode in 2019
- Paul Adegboyega Olawoore, appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Ilorin in 2018
- John Akinkunmi Oyejola, appointed Bishop of Osogbo in 2016
See also
- Roman Catholicism in Nigeria
References
- "Oyo (Diocese)". catholic-Hierarchy.org. December 3, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- "About our Diocese". CatholicDioceseOyo.org. 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- "Priests". CatholicDioceseOyo.org. 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.