Ilorin Catholic Diocese Gets Diocesan Administrator

Very Rev. Fr. Anselm Pendo Láwàní has been appointed as the new Diocesan Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Ilorin.

The development followed the demise of Most Rev. Paul Adegboyega Olawoore, Bishop of the diocese on January 1, 2022.

Until his new office, he has been the Cathedral Administrator of St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Ilorin and Vocation Director of the diocese.

In a statement announcing the new administrator’s appointment, Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Iletogbe revealed that “the College of Consultors have met, the action has been drawn and forwarded to the Holy See through the Metropolitan of the See of Ibadan, the Most Revd Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin. With that done, I am pleased to inform you all that the Very Reverend Father Anselm Pendo Lawani has been elected and approved as the Diocesan Administrator of Ilorin Diocese.”

The statement also pointed out that Diocesan Administrator has the powers and obligations of a Diocesan Bishop expect in cases where the law explicitly restricts him or when the nature of the case itself reserved the action for Diocesan Bishop. This, it was stated, is in accordance with the statute book of the Church, Canon Law 427 $ 1.

Reacting to the development, Pharm. Olorunnisola Akolade, President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Ilorin Diocese congratulated the new administrator and prayed for God’s guidance, strength and wisdom for him to be able to discharge his task successfully.

The statement also indicated that the funeral ceremony of late Bishop Paul Olawoore is slated to place on January 20 & 21, 2022 in Ilorin, enjoining the faithful to pray for God’s grace upon the new Diocesan Administrator and for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late bishop.

Edited by Felix Ajide

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