By Godwin Utuedoye,
The Holy Father, Pope Francis has appointed as auxiliary bishop of of Port Harcourt diocese Rev. Patrick Eluke, of the presbyterate of Port Harcourt, currently parish priest of Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Rumuokwuta, assigning him the titular see of Fotice.
The Rev. Patrick Eluke was born on 25 March 1967 in Ekpeye, Ahoada, Rivers State, in the diocese of Port
Harcourt.
After his primary school education, he entered the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary and continued with courses in
philosophy at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene, and had his Theology studies at the Bigard Memorial Major
Seminary, Enugu.
He was ordained priest on 23 September 1995, and incardinated into the diocese of Port Harcourt.
Rev. Fr. Patrick also obtained a civil doctorate degree in biblical studies at the University of Port Harcourt.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Anthony’s parish, Igwuruta (1995-1996); pastor of Saint Bernard’s parish, Biara (1996-1997); pastor of Saint Dominic’s parish, Bane, and Saint Francis’ parish, Kpean (1997-2002); pastor of Saint Paul’s parish, Ngo (1997-2005); pastor of the Saints Peter and Paul parish, Elenlenwo (2005-2007); pastor of the Queen of the Apostles parish, Rumuepirikom (2007-2012); pastor of the Sacred Heart parish, Mile II Diobu (2012-2013); chaplain of the Annunciation Chaplaincy, University of Port Harcourt (2013-2015); lecturer in Biblical Studies, University of Port Harcourt (since 2014); parish priest of the Saint Francis of Assisi parish, Rumuokwuta (since 2015); and director of
diocesan pastoral vocational ministry (since 2016).