By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
Pope Francis on Saturday, December 28, 2019 announced the appointment of Very . Rev. Fr. Professor Augustine Ndubueze Echema, of the Owerri presbyter as the new bishop of Aba diocese.
Aba diocese has been vacant for a while without a bishop.
Until his appointment, Rev. Fr. Echema was a Professor of Liturgy in the Catholic Institute of West Africa CIWA, Port Harcourt River State Nigeria.
He was born on December 28, 1958 in Ohuhu Nsulu, in then Diocese of Umuahia but now of Aba. He had his minor seminary formation at St. Peter Claver Minor Seminary in Okpala between 1972 to1977.
He completed his philosophical studies at the Bigard Memorial Seminary in Ikot Ekpene (1978-1982) and theological studies at same seminary in Enugu 1982-1986.
He was ordained priest on August 16, 1986, for the Owerri diocese.
He furthered his studies at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt, obtaining a Doctorate in Theology, with a specialization in Liturgy (1989-1994).
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Since his ordination, he has held the following positions: 1986-1988: Formator in the minor seminary St. Peter Claver in Okpala; 1988-1989: Parish priest of St. Mark in Umuneke Ngor; 1989-1994: Higher studies in Frankfurt, Germany; 1994-1995: Parish priest of St. Joseph in Schwalbach, in the Diocese of Limburg, Germany; 1996-1998: Deputy Chaplain of the CIWA Worshipping Community in Port Harcourt.
Since 1996: Professor of Liturgy at the Catholic Institute of West Africa in Port Harcourt; President of the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Owerri; Chaplain of the Owerri Provincial Laity Council.
We wish the bishop-elect a very fruitful episcopal ministry in the See of Aba.