Communications Commission, Oyo Diocese

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in Vatican City has renewed the appointment of Rev. Fr. Joseph Olawale Ogundipe of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo as a Consultor to the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims. The confirmation, dated 10 September 2025 and signed by George Jacob Cardinal Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery, and Mons. Indunil J. K. Kankanamalage, Secretary, officially conveyed the Holy Father’s decision to extend Fr. Ogundipe’s mandate.

 

Fr. Ogundipe was first appointed on January 7, 2020, with the announcement released on February 22, 2020. His renewed appointment took effect on August 6, 2025, and was formally announced on December 2, 2025. The Vatican’s communication emphasized his continued contribution to fostering peace, understanding, and dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

 

The Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims, operating within the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, convenes annually to assess global developments in Christian–Muslim relations. Consultors from different regions provide insights, reflections, and contextual analyses from their respective countries, supporting the Church’s universal mission of peace building, mutual respect, and authentic dialogue.

 

Responding to the renewed appointment, Fr. Ogundipe expressed deep gratitude to God, the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, the Dicastery’s leadership, and all members of the Commission. He offered particular thanks to his Bishop, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, for his fatherly encouragement and unwavering support in the field of interreligious dialogue.

Fr. Ogundipe acknowledged the challenges of dialogue in today’s polarized world but reaffirmed his commitment to working for peace, understanding, and the unity of the human family. He prayed for wisdom and strength to contribute meaningfully to the Church’s mission of reconciliation and harmony.

 

Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese  described the renewed appointment as a great honour, noting that having one of his priests reappointed to serve the Universal Church demonstrates both Fr. Ogundipe’s dedication and the Diocese’s strong commitment to dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Bishop Badejo congratulated him warmly and encouraged him to continue serving with competence, humility, and fidelity.

 

Fr. Ogundipe, ordained in 2007, received his priestly formation at St. Peter’s Spiritual Year Seminary, Eruku, and later at the Seminary of All Saints, Ekpoma. Over the years, he has served in various parishes across the Diocese and currently ministers as the priest in charge of Holy Family Catholic Church, Iwere Ile and the Administrator of St Joseph Catholic College, Iwere Ile.  He also continues his service as Director of the Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue Commission for the Diocese of Oyo.

 

The renewal of his appointment underscores the Holy See’s confidence in his expertise and further highlights the Diocese of Oyo’s growing contribution to strengthening Christian–Muslim engagement both in Nigeria and globally.