By Ovie Okpare
Pope Francis has appointed additional five priests in Issele-Uku Catholic Diocese in Delta State as Papal Chamberlains bringing the total in the diocese to nine.
Papal Chamberlains also known as Monsignori is awarded to priests in recognition of their selfless service to the church and their community.
The five elevated priests include Right Rev. Monsignor John Aduba, Right Rev. Monsignor Michael Nwokolo, Right Rev. Monsignor Parker Ogboi, Right Rev. Monsignor Miletus Eze and Right Rev. Monsignor Augustine Ojei.
Their appointment was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Diocesan Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwa.
The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Elue, would perform investiture ceremony on the five papal chamberlains on Saturday, October 31, the statement added.
It further stated that the investiture ceremony would hold at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Issele-Uku, by 10am in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
Uganwa said the honour was given to them in recognition of their selfless contributions to the local Church and their services to humanity all over Nigeria.
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“The title ‘Monsignor’ is bestowed on a priest who has distinguished himself by exceptional service to the church.
“It is a title granted by the pope upon the recommendation of the priest’s diocesan bishop.
“It is a purely honorary title and has no effect on the priest’s duties or ministerial assignment, so a monsignor does not necessarily have any duties distinct from those of any other priest.
“However, some positions within the Vatican automatically carry the title of monsignor.
“When the bishop of a diocese believes that one of the priests under his authority should be honored for his exceptional service to the church, he can nominate that priest for the title of monsignor.
“The Pope reviews the nomination and makes the final decision. If he decides to grant the title of monsignor to the nominee, the Secretariat of State of the Vatican honors the new monsignor with a formal diploma.
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“And, because the title of monsignor historically designated a priest who served in the papal curia or Vatican bureaucracy, all Monsignori are officially part of the papal household, whether they serve in the Vatican or elsewhere.
“Unlike regular priests, they may wear some of the regalia normally reserved for a bishop”, it stated.
Issele-Uku was created on July 5, 1973 by Pope Pius X1 from the territory of Benin Archdiocese.
It presently covers six local government areas including Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ika South and Ika North-East, of Delta State.
The diocese currently has 94 parishes, 232 priests and nine Monsignori.
