The Catholic Church has appointed Ernest Anaezichukwu Obodo as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Abakaliki following the death of Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu.
The appointment was announced in a decree issued by the Dicastery for Evangelization, acting on the authority of Pope Leo XIV.
The decree, dated April 12, 2026, stated that the episcopal see of Abakaliki became vacant upon the death of Bishop Chukwu.
According to the decree, Bishop Obodo, who currently serves as the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Enugu, will administer the affairs of the Abakaliki Diocese during the period of vacancy and at the disposition of the Holy See.
The Vatican said the appointment was made after careful consideration and in accordance with the special faculties granted by the Pope.
As Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Obodo has been granted all the powers and responsibilities accorded by canon law to oversee the diocese pending the appointment of a substantive bishop.
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The announcement was conveyed to members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) through a communication signed by the Secretary General, Fr. Michael Banjo.
Bishop Chukwu’s death was described as “pious” in the decree, marking the end of his episcopal leadership in the Abakaliki Diocese.
With this development, Bishop Obodo is expected to steer the spiritual and administrative affairs of the diocese, ensuring continuity in pastoral activities until the Holy See appoints a substantive bishop.
