THE NIGERIAN CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY OF ENGLAND AND WALES.
Our Chaplaincy is our service home, we are one big family coming together to cater for the souls of many.
The history of the Catholic Church stretches back 2000 years from where ever in the world you are reading this to a small room in Jerusalem when Mary and the Apostles received the Holy Spirit from God. Since then, protected by the Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Church has grown in number and deepened in faith as she proclaims and awaits the second coming of the Word of God. This time line is an attempt to trace that history. At its heart is the line of popes
As Catholics, we are Christians which means followers of Jesus Christ and our vision is to preach Christ.
The suggestion for the coming together of people in diaspora who are Catholics and share a common cultural background was first made by Cardinal Francis Arinze during a Mass he celebrated with Africans at Westminster Cathedral in 1985. Following this suggestion, some Africans rose up to the challenge and started what became known as the Association of African Catholics.
Initially, the group met at West Hampstead and later at Battersea Park. It was here they requested a chaplain and Rev. Fr. John Kirby RIP was duly appointed Chaplain of the Association of African Catholics and he worked tirelessly to give status to the Association.With the ordination of Ghanaian Rev. Fr. James Enin as a Marist priest in June 1991, Rev. Joseph Baffour-Awuah took the opportunity to start the Association of Ghanaian Catholics with Fr. Enin as Chaplain. It was this move by Rev. Joseph Baffour-Awuah that gave impetus for the formation of the Association of Nigerian Catholics under the leadership of Rev. Fidelis Chukwu.
The Association of Ghanaian Catholics under the leadership of Rev. Fr. James Enin was officially recognised as a Chaplaincy in 1992, but the Association of Nigerian Catholics could not gain the same status due to the absence of a priest or deacon. The result was that the Association of Nigerian Catholics continued to function as an association within the big umbrella of the Association of African Catholics under Rev. Fr. John Kirby RIP with Rev. Fidelis Chukwu as Co-ordinator.
It was in 1992 that both Rev. Joseph Baffour-Awuah and Rev. Fidelis Chukwu started their training for the Permanent Diaconate and at ordination; Rev. Fidelis Chukwu was officially assigned as Chaplain to the Nigerian Catholic Community. This was the time when some Nigerian priests, who had arrived as students, started to take interest in the Nigerian Catholic Community. At the same time, a new association was formed called The Umuigbo Catholic Community.
It was this association that approached the Bishops requesting the appointment of a Chaplain in order to establish an Igbo Chaplaincy. The Bishops’ response, after due consultation with Rev Fidelis Chukwu, was to consider the establishment of the Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy as they could not consider individual ethnic chaplaincies from within a Bishops’ Conference. The discussions were then resumed between the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria with the result that in 2006.
The Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy was officially established in England and Wales and Rev. Fr. Albert Ofere was appointed by the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria as Chaplain. Rev Fidelis Chukwu then fully handed over to Rev. Fr. Albert Ofere.
Rev. Fr. Michael was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on June 26, 2008. He received his seminary formation at Ss. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan, earning a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan and a B.Th. in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome. A priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Fr. Michael has served the Church in various pastoral and administrative capacities. His assignments have included Parish Priest, Director of Vocations, Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA), Ijebu-Ode Diocese, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Chaplain to Catholic students at Tai Solarin University of Education. His ministry has been marked by dedication to pastoral care, formation, and community building. In 2022, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria appointed him Chaplain of the Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy in England and Wales. He joined the chaplaincy in September 2022 and currently serves as its Lead Chaplain, providing spiritual leadership and pastoral support to the Nigerian Catholic community in the United Kingdom.
Rev. Fr. Jude Ashibekong Ishiekwen, born on 31 May 1987 in Busanfong–Bisu, Obanliku LGA, Cross River State, was ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja on 13 July 2019. He began his formation at Pope John Paul II Minor Seminary, Okpoma, continued at Saint Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene, and had additional formation at Saint Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi. Fr. Ishiekwen has served extensively in the school apostolate, including Saint John Paul II Seminary, Okpoma–Yala, Cardinal Newman School, and Archbishop Ukpo High School, Okundi–Boki, and briefly as Priest-in-Charge of Saint Patrick Quasi-Parish, Njemetop–Ikom. He was appointed one of the Chaplains of the Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy of England and Wales in November 2023, officially assuming duty on 29 July 2024. He has a deep appreciation for classical music, creative writing, reading, public speaking, and basketball, and is known for combining reflective thought with a pastoral commitment to engaging both the mind and the heart.
Fr. Alexander Izang Atu is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Ordained on October 15, 2011, following his philosophical and theological studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary,
Jos (SAMS). Over the years, Fr. Alexander has served in various apostolates, including parish ministry, education, and chaplaincy, demonstrating his commitment to pastoral care and spiritual guidance.
In January 2019, he joined the team of chaplains in the Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy for England and Wales. On January 1, 2024, he was appointed Lead Chaplain, a role in which he continues to serve with dedication.
For inquiries regarding the Chaplaincy, you can reach Fr. Alexander at 07432048440.
