Roman Catholic diocese in Nigeria
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ondo (Latin: Ondoën(sis)) is a diocese located in the Ondo State in the ecclesiastical province of Ibadan in Nigeria. The Cathedral and diocesan secretariat are located in Akure.
History
On 12 January 1943 the Vicariate of Ondo-Ilorin, consisting of the Civil Provinces of Ondo and Ilorin, was carved out of both the Vicariate of Asaba-Benin and the Vicariate of the Bight of Benin. Bishop Thomas Hughes S.M.A. was the Vicar Apostolic. In 1950, this Vicariate of Ondo-Ilorin became the Diocese of Ondo. His Lordship, Most Rev. Bishop Hughes, S.M.A., was appointed Bishop of this new Diocese. On his death in 1957, he was succeeded by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. William R. Field, S.M.A., consecrated Bishop on 27 April 1958.
On 6 December 1960, the Prefecture of Ilorin was carved out of the Diocese of Ondo with Bishop William Mahony, SMA as its first Bishop.
On 10 October 1971, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Michael O. Fagun, became the first Auxiliary Bishop of Ondo Diocese and when the Diocese of Ekiti was detached from the Diocese of Ondo on 10 October 1972, he became first diocesan bishop of Ekiti.
On 21 April 1974, his Lordship, Most Rev Dr. Francis F. Alonge, was ordained the Auxiliary Bishop of Ondo Diocese, and on the retirement of Bishop Field, he became the diocesan bishop and his episcopal enthronement took place in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Akure, on 22 August 1976.
On 6 May 2010, Most Rev Dr Jude Arogundade was consecrated Bishop and was appointed as a Co-Adjutor to Most Rev Dr. Francis Alonge in the Diocese of Ondo. Upon the acceptance of the letter of Resignation of Bishop Alonge by Pope Benedict XVI on 26 November 2010, Bishop Jude succeeded Bishop Alonge and was enthroned as the bishop of the Diocese on 14 January 2011 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
The Diocese of Ondo, as it is today, is within Ondo State. The number of parishes, Mass centers and priests has grown tremendously over the years. Today, we have fifty parishes and Mass centers and the diocese is blessed with over ninety priests serving within and outside the diocese. The Diocese has an area of 15,518 sqm. With a population of about 3,225,255 of whom 265,000 are Catholics. The Diocesan Headquarters is Akure, the Capital City of Ondo State.
Bishops
- Vicar Apostolic of Ondo-Ilorin (Roman rite)
- Bishop Thomas Hughes, S.M.A. (1943.01.12 – 1950.04.18 see below)
- Bishops of Ondo (Roman rite)
- Bishop Thomas Hughes, S.M.A. (see above 1950.04.18 – 1957.04.17)
- Bishop William Richard Field, S.M.A. (1958.01.16 – 1976.05.31)
- Bishop Francis Folorunsho Clement Alonge (1976.05.31 - 2010.11.26)
- Bishop Jude Ayodeji Arogundade (since 2010.11.26); had been the Coadjutor Bishop (2010)
The list above includes a Coadjutor who served in 2010.
Auxiliary Bishops
- Francis Folorunsho Clement Alonge (1973-1976), appointed Bishop here
- Michael Patrick Olatunji Fagun (1971-1972), appointed Bishop of Ekiti
Persecution and insecurity
Although removed from the Middle Belt and North of Nigeria, where most incidents of persecution take place, Ondo witnessed a tragic massacre, carried out by unknown gunmen, in St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, on 5 June 2022, during Pentecost Sunday celebrations.[1] The attack left over 50 people dead.
Nigeria