Pope Leo appoints Bishop Ogun as Apostolic Administrator of Benin City Archdiocese

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, O.S.A., arsenic the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, pending the assignment of a substantive Archbishop.

The assignment followed the caller decease of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.

The determination was conveyed successful a missive dated July 10, 2026, from the Apostolic Nunciature successful Nigeria to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Benin City, Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh.

Signed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, the missive stated that the Dicastery for Evangelization, acting with faculties granted by Pope Leo XIV, approved the assignment to supply interim enactment for the Archdiocese during the vacancy.

According to the letter, Bishop Ogun’s assignment takes contiguous effect, with the Chancellor directed to notify the clergy of the Archdiocese.

The Holy See said the interim assignment was indispensable to guarantee the continued governance of the Archdiocese portion the process of appointing a caller Metropolitan Archbishop is underway.

Archbishop Crotty besides extended his condolences to the priests, spiritual and laic faithful of the Archdi...