| The Most Reverend Ayo-Maria Atoyebi | |
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Ilorin | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Ilorin |
| Appointed | 6 March 1992 |
| Installed | 17 May 1992 |
| Term ended | 11 June 2019 |
| Predecessor | John Onaiyekan |
| Successor | Paul Adegboyega Olawoore |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 17 December 1978 |
| Consecration | 17 May 1992 by Archbishop Peter Yariyok Jatau |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ayo Sunday Atoyebi (1944-12-03) 3 December 1944 (age 80) Ilorin, Nigeria |
| Parents | Atoyebi Methodius (father) and Aboyepe Teresa Adeoye (mother) |
Ayo-Maria Atoyebi (born 3 December 1944) is a Nigerian Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in Okerimi-oro, 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.
Priesthood and Episcopal appointment
Ayo-Maria Atoyebi was born on 3 December 1944. He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church under the Order of Friars Preacher on 17 December 1978.
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 includes: Bishop John Onaiyekan and Bishop Felix Alaba Adeosin Job. He was the bishop of Ilorin Diocese from 1992 to 2019.
Marian activities
Bishop Atoyebi is a devotee of the Virgin Mary and promoter of Marian devotions and activities. He has written many books and given 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 is also a member of the theological commission of the International Marian Association.
Retirement
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.
References
- ^ "Bishop Ayo-maria Atoyebi (Catholic Hierarchy)".
- "Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, OP to mark 70th Birthday in December". www.dominicans.org.ng. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- "Vatican News". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- "Theological Commission of the IMA". International Marian Association. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- "Pope appoints Olawoore Coadjutor Bishop of Ilorin Diocese". The Sun Nigeria. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- Sijuade, Gbenga (5 April 2018). "Pope Appoints Paul Olawoore As New Bishop Of Ilorin Diocese". Naija News. Retrieved 21 June 2019.