
The canonical erection of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi and the installation of the Bishop Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo (MSP) took place on the 14th and 15th of December, 2017. The celebration started with a football match between Bomadi Priests and Warri Priests on the 14th of December. Though it was a very tough match the Warri Priests eventually gave the Bomadi Priests one goal this means there is no winner as Bomadi Priests had earlier won the match played in Warri diocese in 2016.
Many Bishops, priests and women religious arrived from different part of Nigeria to grace to occasion. The Diocese was also delighted to have in attendance the Very Rev. Thomas Greenan SPS who was the Superior of the Bomadi Jurisdiction. He came from Ireland to grace the occasion. The St. Patrick’s fathers worked very tirelessly in the evangelization and development of the Vicariate under the leadership of Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Greenan. Evening prayer was said in the Bishop’s chapel and this was followed with the Gala night. The Youths entertained the guest with songs and drama. It was a wonderful evening.
On the 15th December, Mass started at 10.am at St. Brendan’s College Bomadi, Delta State. There were a lot of people from different parts of the world present including Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Religious, Lay faithful and Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Apostolic Nuncio. As part of the ritual, the Bishop of Bomadi Diocese Rev. Dr Hyacinth Egbebo was asked by Archbishop Augustine Akubueze, Archbishop of Benin to come and sit on the cathedra chair and the crosier was handed on to him. It was a beautiful ritual. A congratulatory message from Pope Francis was read by Archbishop Kaigama and was handed over to the Bishop of Bomadi who received it with joy on behalf of the people. At the end of the liturgical gathering, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama made a prayerful appeal for the release of the six kidnapped Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Sisters and aspirants who were kidnapped in their community in the month of November in Iguoriakhi near Benin City. He appealed to the people to assist the security agencies so that they can intensify their efforts in securing the release of the kidnapped sisters. He also appealed that we should remain committed to creating a better society where we can all continue to live and work in peace. After the Mass entertainment followed. There were a lot of dancing and different entertainment. It was a joyous celebration for all.
On the 7th of January 2018, we got the good news of the release of the kidnapped Eucharistic Heart Sisters on the 6th January without any payment of ransom.