Roman Catholic Diocese of Makurdi
The Diocese of Makurdi (Latin: Dioecesis Makurdensis ) is a location in Nigeria Roman Catholic diocese based in Makurdi.
History
The Diocese of Makurdi was born on July 9, 1934 by Pope Pius XI. built with the Apostolic Constitution Ad enascentis of annexations of the Apostolic Vicariate of Western Nigeria as Apostolic Prefecture of Benue. On April 18, 1950, the Apostolic Prefecture of Benue was by Pope Pius XII. renamed with the Apostolic Constitution Laeto accepimus in Apostolic Prefecture Oturkpo. The Apostolic Prefecture Oturkpo announced on July 14, 1950 from parts of its territory establishing the Apostolic Prefecture of Yola. A further transfer of territory took place on February 21, 1955 establishing the Apostolic Prefecture of Kabba.
On April 2, 1959, the Apostolic Prefecture Oturkpo was by Pope John XXIII. charged with the Apostolic Constitution Divini Sacrosancta magistri to the diocese and the Archdiocese of Lagos is a suffragan. The diocese Oturkpo was placed under the Archdiocese of Kaduna, suffragan on 16 July 1959. On June 28, 1960, the diocese was renamed the Diocese of Makurdi Oturkpo. The Diocese of Makurdi was placed under the Archdiocese of Abuja suffragan on 16 March 1994. The Diocese of Makurdi announced on July 10, 1995 from parts of its territory to the foundation of the diocese Otukpo. Another area assignment was completed on 5 December 2000 on the establishment of the Diocese of Lafia.
Ordinaries
Apostolic Prefect of Benue
- Giuseppe Kirsten CSSp, 1937-1947
- James Hagan CSSp, 1948-1950
Apostolic Prefect of Oturkpo
- James Hagan CSSp, 1950-1959
Bishops of Oturkpo
- James Hagan CSSp, 1959-1960
Bishop of Makurdi
- James Hagan CSSp, 1960-1966
- Donal Joseph Murray CSSp, 1968-1989
- Athanasius Atule Usuh, since 1989