Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Patrick Eluke As Apostolic Administrator Of Port Harcourt Diocese
In a significant development within the Nigerian Catholic Church, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Patrick Eluke as the new Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Port Harcourt.
This appointment follows the resignation of Bishop Camillus Archibong Etukudoh, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 75 in August 2024.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing that the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, officially conveyed the Pope’s decision during Holy Mass at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Port Harcourt.
The announcement was made in the course of a three-day pastoral visit to the diocese.
Bishop Eluke, who had been serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese, is now tasked with overseeing the pastoral and administrative affairs of the Church in Port Harcourt until a new bishop is appointed.
Bishop Etukudoh bows out after a remarkable ecclesiastical career spanning over three decades—having shepherded the Port Harcourt Diocese for 16 years, following an earlier 20-year tenure as bishop of the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene.
