CHURCH OF ENGLAND CHOOSES FIRST EVER NIGERIAN BISHOP

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CHOOSES FIRST EVER NIGERIAN BISHOP

Nigeria-born Woyin Karowei Dorgu has been appointed the 13th bishop of Woolwich, England, UK.

The Guardian UK reports that Mr. Dorgu will be the first black bishop appointed by the Church of England in 20 years.

   Woyin Karowei Dorgu trained as a medical doctor in Lagos before being ordained. Photo by Diocese of Southwark

Mr. Dorgu's nomination was approved by Queen Elizabeth II whose consecration at Southwark Cathedral will take place on March 17 next year.

The 58-year-old was trained as a general practitioner in Lagos before being ordained in the UK. There he has served as a minister in several London parishes.

The new bishop plans to celebrate the racial diversity of Woolwich, where a significant Nigerian population lives.

Dr. Woyin Karowei Dorgu with his wife Mosun and the Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun. Photo by Ruth Gledhill

At a press conference at Southwark Cathedral, Rev Woyin Karowei Dorgu said: "I will celebrate the diversity in race, ability, gender, sexuality, and class...

Celebrating our differences is a gift. My appointment is a small step in the right direction.

Quite a lot of Nigerian Christians [in the Woolwich area] are from an Anglican background.

The only other black bishop in the Church of England is John Sentamu, now archbishop of York – second in the church hierarchy.

Although I and Sentamu are the only black bishops, I would not describe the position as lonely. There is a lot of support and friendship.

The new Bishop of Woolwich, Dr. Woyin Karowei Dorgu. Photo by Ruth Gledhill

I hope my appointment will be a model. I will promote unity, respect, integrity and collaboration among different traditions."

According to Christian today, Woy in his native Ijaw tongue means God and Karoway mean priest or servant of God.

His father, a senior government official who was the first head of the civil service in the mid-west region of Nigeria, was "unknowingly prophetic" when he had his son christened "servant of God".

He was born into a Christian family in Burutu, a sea port in the south-eastern delta region of Nigeria.