Nigerian CofE priest becomes new curate for Irish churches

A man born in Nigeria and resident in Italy for a number of years is to become a new diocesan curate in the Church of Ireland.

Sampson Ajuka will have responsibility for the Devenish and Boho Group of Parishes.

He studied at the Queens Foundation for Theological Studis in Birmingham , was ordained in the Church of England, and served in the Church in Venice, Padova, and Trieste in the Diocese of Europe.

He will be introduced by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Rev John McDowell, at a service on 2 February 2012 in Devenish Parish Church, Monea.

Commenting on his move to the Church of Ireland, he said “moving into a new place with different culture is not an easy thing, it is like a school boy starting his primary education.”

Bishop McDowell said: “It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Sampson and his family into the diocese. I think I am correct in saying that Sampson will be the first African clergy person to have charge of a parish in the Diocese of Clogher, and his presence will also serve to remind us that the Anglican Communion, to which we belong, is a worldwide fellowship.

"For many years all of the movement of clergy was from the UK and Ireland to Africa, but now the Churches of Africa are in a position to share their spiritual riches with us. We rejoice in that day.”

Mr Ajuka, his wife Ugonna and their two children Chiemela and Rejoice moved from Italy at the end of December 2011, to Northern Ireland where everything is entirely different from what it was back in Italy, especially moving from an urban area to a rural place.

“This is a new experience for us but the good thing to be happy about is that we are settling in gradually with the help of good people the Lord is sending” he said.

Moving from the Church of England to the Church of Ireland has also presented some new challenges.

Mr Ajuka noted that “both have different ways of doing things, so I need to work hard to fit into the system gradually".

Nonetheless he is looking forward to his new role.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, my soul pants for God who will supply in abundance the grace, vision and power to carry out the ministry in the grouped parishes of Devenish and Boho after the introduction service. I am sure it will be a great day! We are thanking God for those who will attend the service and asking God for journeying mercies.”