BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF EVO
In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ to go and preach the word; and in line with the evangelism efforts of the Anglican Church, The people of Evo Kingdom who are predominantly Anglicans desired to have a diocese of their own – this desire dates back to the 90’s.
In order to actualize this dream of a new Diocese, series of behind-the scene and open preparations and consultations took place leading to the forwarding of a formal application for the creation of the Diocese of Evo to the Diocesan Board of Niger Delta North on the 11th day of September, 2003 through the Lord Bishop, Rt. Rev. (now Rtd. Most Rev.) Ignatius C. O. Kattey, JP. This application was formally read in the meeting of the then Diocesan Board of Niger Delta Diocese held at the King of kings Anglican Church, D/Line, Port Harcourt.
On 3rd February, 2009 the (Niger Delta North) Diocesan Board set up a Diocesan Inspection Committee to visit the area requesting for a diocese. The report of the Committee was presented to the same Board when it met again on Monday, 23rd February, 2009 at the St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt. After careful deliberations, the Niger Delta North Diocesan Board granted a Provincial approval to the application for the creation of the Diocese of Evo. Following this Board meeting was the convening of a One – Day Diocesan Synod on Monday, 2nd March, 2009 at the St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, Diobu where delegates considered the recommendation of the Diocesan Board and unanimously approved the creation of the Diocese of Evo out of the Niger Delta North.
Consequently, the Bishop, Rt. Rev. (now Rtd. Most Rev.) I. C. O. Kattey, JP conveyed through the Primate of All Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola DD, CON, the approval of the Synod to the meeting of the Church of Nigeria Standing Committee. The Diocese of Evo Was thereafter created on Thursday, 12th March, 2009 at the meeting of the said Standing Committee held at Ile Ife, Osun State.
The Church of Nigeria Episcopal Synod met on Friday 22nd May, 2009, at Lokoja and there elected The Venerable Innocent U. Ordu as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Evo. He was consecrated on Sunday, 12th July, 2009 at St. Peter’s Church, Yenagoa. The inauguration of the Diocese of Evo by the Primate of All Nigeria and the enthronement of the Rt. Rev. Innocent U. Ordu took place on Monday 13th July, 2009 at The All Saints’ Cathedral Church, Rumuokwurusi, Obio, Rivers State.
The Diocese of started with 25 churches in 2009 but has more than doubled that number as at today with over 60 churches.
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The Bishop is the head (humanly speaking) of the Diocese who presides over the Synod and Diocesan Board, the Governing Councils of the Diocese.
The Diocesan Board is made up of the Bishop who is the Chairman/President, the Archdeacons and Rectors heading the different administrative blocs, the legal team led by the Diocesan Registrar. Other clergy and lay persons heading the various ministerial, education and business units of the Diocese.
ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCS
The 12 administrative blocs are;
01. CATHEDRAL BLOC
05. OGINIGBA DEANERY
06. OROIGWE/ELIOGBOLO ARCHDEACONRY
10. OKPORO/RUMUOGBA ARCHDEACONRY
12. STATION UNDER THE BISHOP’S OFFICE (Living Stones Anglican Youth Church, Farm Road, Eliozu)
These 12 Administrative Blocs headquarters have Parish and Station Churches further down the line. All headed by Clergy and Church teachers.