He is the first black bishop in 20 years and the only Nigerian appointed as a Church of England’s Bishop.??
Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu, 58, has been perfectly placed to head the Nigerian populated branch of Woolwich and will assume his role from March 17th 2017.
Born and bred in Nigeria, Dr Dorgu used to rebel against the gospel and church until he met Christian students at university and chose to “accept Jesus as my personal saviour and Lord in my early 20s”.
[Video] Dr Dorgu introduces himself
Dorgu qualified as a doctor in Lagos before moving to the UK in 1987. He then went on to study for his BA at London Bible College, then an Ordination course at Oak Hill 3. Theological College from 1993 to 1995 before being ordained as a priest in 1996.
Currently the Vicar of St John the Evangelist, Upper Holloway, and Woolwich, he will become the 13th Bishop of Woolwich and will be ordained at Southwark Cathedral.
On his appointment he pledges to:
“celebrate the diversity in race, ability, gender, sexuality and class … Celebrating our differences is a gift.”
“My appointment is a small step in the right direction.”
“Quite a lot of Nigerian Christians [in the Woolwich area] are from an Anglican background. The only other black bishop in the Church of England is John Sentamu, now archbishop of York – second in the church hierarchy.”
“Although I and Sentamu are the only black bishops, I would not describe the position as lonely. There is a lot of support and friendship.”
“I hope my appointment will be a model. Seeing someone from a similar background could be a catalyst for dialogue between the C of E and black majority churches and Nigerians looking for a spiritual home.”
