Ayo-Maria Atoyebi

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Ayo-Maria Atoyebi
Bishop Emeritus of Ilorin
Church Roman Catholic Church
Archdiocese Ibadan
Diocese Ilorin
Appointed6 March 1992
Installed17 May 1992
Term ended11 June 2019
Predecessor John Onaiyekan
Successor Paul Adegboyega Olawoore
Orders
Ordination17 December 1978
Consecration17 May 1992
by  Peter Yariyok Jatau
Personal details
Born
Ayo Sunday Atoyebi

(1944-12-03)3 December 1944
Died8 March 2025(2025-03-08) (aged 80)
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
ParentsAtoyebi Methodius (father) and Aboyepe Teresa Adeoye (mother)

Ayo-Maria Atoyebi (3 December 1944 – 8 March 2025) was a Nigerian Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in Okerimi-oro, now in Kwara state, Nigeria and was ordained a priest of Orders of Friars Preachers on 17 December 1978. He served as Bishop of Ilorin Diocese from 6 March 1992 to 11 June 2019. [1]

Contents

Priesthood and Episcopal appointment

Ayo-Maria Atoyebi was born on 3 December 1944. [2] He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church under the Order of Friars Preacher on 17 December 1978. [1]

On 6 March 1992, he was appointed the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ilorin after which he was consecrated as Bishop on 17 May 1992 by Bishop Peter Yariyok Jatau. His ordination was also carried out by co-consecrators which included: Bishop John Onaiyekan and Bishop Felix Alaba Adeosin Job. [1] He was the bishop of Ilorin Diocese from 1992 to 2019. [3]

Marian activities

Bishop Atoyebi was a devotee of the Virgin Mary and promoter of Marian devotions and activities. He wrote many books and gave many talks on the blessed Virgin Mary. He started an annual Marian pilgrimage programme where Catholics in Ilorin Diocese visit the Blessed Virgin Mary pilgrimage site at Okerimi-Oro his hometown. He was also a member of the theological commission of the International Marian Association. [4]

Retirement and death

On 11 June 2019, Atoyebi retired as the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin due to old age and frail health and was replaced by His Coadjutor; Bishop Paul Adegboyega Olawoore. [5] [6] On 8 March 2025, Atoyebi died at the age of 80. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Bishop Ayo-maria Atoyebi (Catholic Hierarchy)".
  2. "Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, OP to mark 70th Birthday in December". www.dominicans.org.ng. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  3. "Vatican News". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  4. "Theological Commission of the IMA". International Marian Association. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  5. "Pope appoints Olawoore Coadjutor Bishop of Ilorin Diocese". The Sun Nigeria. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  6. Sijuade, Gbenga (5 April 2018). "Pope Appoints Paul Olawoore As New Bishop Of Ilorin Diocese". Naija News. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Ilorin
1992–2019
Succeeded by