Pope Francis appointed the Reverend Peter Nworie Chukwu, until now parish priest of Saint Patrick in Nduruku-Amagu and professor at the Ebonyi State University of Abakaliki as bishop of the same see, as the new bishop of Abakaliki, Nigeria. He replaces Bishop Michael Nnachi Okoro, whose resignation was accepted by the Holy Father.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Peter Nworie Chukwu was born on 5 November 1965 in Ededeagu Umuezekohohu, in the diocese of Abakaliki. After attending the Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, where he carried out his studies in philosophy (1985-1989), he carried out his theological studies (1990-1993) at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu. He subsequently studied at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio (2000-2001) and at the Marquette University in Milwaukee, in the United States of America, where he was awarded a doctorate in philosophy (2002-2007). He was ordained a priest on 3 July 1993 and incardinated in the diocese of Abakaliki.

Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint John the Evangelist in Okpaugwu (1993-1994); vice-rector of the Saint Augustine Minor Seminary (1993); parish vicar of Saint Michael in Ogboji (1994); parish priest of Saint Mulumba in Echara Ikwo (1994-1996); parish priest of Saint Paul in Uburu (1996-2000); parish priest of All Saints in Fremont and Saint Joseph in White Cloud, in the diocese of Grand Rapids, and adjunct lecturer at the Aquinas College, United States of America (2000-2010); and president of the Association of Nigerian Priests of the diocese of Abakaliki (2010-2017). From 2010 to the present he has served as parish priest of Saint Patrick in Nduruku-Amagu; since 2011, professor at the Ebonyi State University in Abakaliki and since 2017, spiritual director of the novitiate of the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd.