On Oct. 12, 2023, Bishop William F. Medley smiles for a photo with some of the 107 seminarians and faculty members of the Missionaries of St. Paul major seminary, following morning prayer and Mass. COURTESY OF FR. JERRY RINEY
Bishop Medley’s pastoral visit to Nigeria
BY WKC STAFF
For the past few years, Bishop Medley has made it his mission to travel to the home countries of international priests serving in the Diocese of Owensboro to express his gratitude to their families, their communities, and their bishops and superiors. His travels have included Mexico, Guatemala, Myanmar, India, and most recently, Nigeria.
Bishop Medley and Fr. Jerry Riney landed in Abuja, Nigeria early in the morning (4:30 a.m. Abuja time) of Oct. 11, 2023. While in there, he visited the major seminary of the Missionaries of St. Paul, a religious community out of Nigeria. He journeyed to several major cities to make pastoral visits, celebrated several three-hour-long Masses and the ordinations of several transitional deacons, while also visiting the families of Fr. Emmanual Udoh and Fr. Uwem Enoh. He also visited with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, several of whom serve in the Diocese of Owensboro.
Bishop William F. Medley and Fr. Jerry Riney take a photo with Fr. Uwem Enoh and his parents during Bishop Medley’s pastoral visit to Nigeria. COURTESY OF FR. JERRY RINEY
Following Mass during his pastoral visit to Nigeria, Bishop William F. Medley greets children of the community. COURTESY OF FR. JERRY RINEY
Fr. Raymond Aina, MSP, rector of the Missionaries of St. Paul major seminary, walks with Bishop William F. Medley and Fr. Jerry Riney as the two visit the seminary on Oct. 12, 2023. COURTESY OF FR. JERRY RINEY
Bishop William F. Medley takes a picture with Fr. Emmanuel Udoh’s family during his pastoral visit to Nigeria. COURTESY OF BISHOP MEDLEY
(Left to right) Namso Enoh, Fr. Jerry Riney, Fr. Emmanual Udoh, and Fr. Uwem Enoh eat dinner together. Namso Enoh is Fr. Uwem Enoh’s brother. COURTESY OF FR. JERRY RINEY
Bishop Medley and Fr. Jerry Riney smile for a picture with several Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Two of the sisters, Sr. Anthonia Asayoma and Sr. Anne Marie Joshua, currently serve in the Diocese of Owensboro. COURTESY OF BISHOP MEDLEY
On Oct. 14, 2023, Bishop William F. Medley and Bishop Camillus Raymond Umoh take a picture with the three seminarians to be ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. The seminarians are Fabian Johnson Udobi; Gregory Akpan Usoro, Jr.; and Jerome Patrick Akpan. COURTESY OF BISHOP MEDLEY
Originally printed in the November 2023 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
