MEET THE NEW DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS, CATHOLIC SECRETARIAT OF NIGERIA, REV. FR DR LEONARD EHIEMERE.*

Rev. Fr Dr Leonard Ozoemelam Ehiemere, is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria. A Priest with vast local and international experience cutting across the Pastoral, Academia and communication spheres, he was ordained on 22 July 2006. Fr Ehiemere has just been appointed as the new National Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja, by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), effective 1st September 2026.

As a young priest, Fr Leo Ehiemere showed so much zeal for the ministry and proved very impactful from his earliest assignments. The proficient formator gladly served his Diocese as Vice Rector, Immaculate Conception Seminary (2006- 2009). From there, he became the Assistant Cathedral Administrator (2009-2011), and then Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish, Abam (2012 - 2013). Armed with these experiences, the enthusiastic priest proceeded on further studies to the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome Italy from 2013-2020.

Father's contributions to the universal mission of the Church were felt in a special way in the United States of America. Father would do voluntary work at Christ the King Cathedral, Green Bay Wisconsin, as well as Internship Program at Relevant Radio Headquarters, Green Bay Wisconsin, USA, in 2015, to expand his experiential horizon. He was also involved in both parish and hospital ministries in the diocese of San Bernardino, California.

Fr Ehiemere obtained his Doctorate in Institutional Social Communication from the Pontifical University of Holy Cross, Rome, in 2020. He had previously bagged his Licentiate in the same field and school in 2016. Since 2020 till now, Fr Ehiemere has proactively and efficiently navigated several multi-tasking responsibilities both in his Diocese of Umuahia and the larger Owerri Ecclesiastical Province. He has been the Chaplain of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, from 2020 till date. Since 2020 also, Fr Ehiemere has being the Director of Communications, Umuahia Diocese. He is also the Coordinator of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Provincial Directors of Communication. In addition, Father is the Acting Dean, Ikwuano Deanery, Umuahia Diocese. He also serves as the Vice President, Umuahia Diocesan Priests Association. He is the Chaplain to the Knights of St. Mulumba St. Loretto Sub- Council.

Indeed, a goldfish has no hiding place. Fr Leonard Ehiemere is not only very learned and resourceful, he is an avid pastor, teacher and communicator. He is humble, approachable and altruistic. He is an empathetic listener and a prudent administrator. Fr Leonard Ozoemelam Ehiemere is truly a team player and a born leader. He is a happy priest and cheerful servant of the Church who submits to the Church in all things. His national elevation as the new Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja, therefore, comes as no surprise. We congratulate him on his appointment as National Director and pray for God's grace upon him in the discharge of this noble Ecclesiastical duty.

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