Nigerian Priest Appointed Under-Secretary for Dicastery for Integral Human Development

The holder of a Doctorate in Systematic Theology from the Australian Catholic University and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Rome-based Pontifical Gregorian University speaks English, Italian and French in addition to his native language, Igbo.

In a statement published after his appointment was made public, Fr. Ekpo has expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis, saying that he is “very grateful to the Holy Father for this unexpected assignment and for his trust.”

“I also express my gratitude to Superiors and colleagues at the Secretariat of State for the friendship and the work shared in these years,” Fr. Ekpo further says.

He implores, “I humbly pray the Lord to give me the grace to carry out, with joy, passion and dedication, this new service that has been entrusted to me.” 

“My desire is to be able to collaborate with the Superiors and employees of the Dicastery to carry forward the vision of the Dicastery and the mission of the Church,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest says. 

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As an Under-Secretary, Fr. Ekpo is expected to work alongside Prefect Cardinal Michael Czerny, Secretary, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, and Fr. Fabio Baggio, the Under-Secretary in-charge of migrants and refugees.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.