THE RELIGIOUS

Having sketched out the development of the hierarchy and the clergy above, it becomes expedient, if not necessary, to say a word or two on the development of the native Religious in the diocese since 1955. A caveat is in order: I will limit my discussion here to the women Religious since I have, somewhat, touched on the native priests – Religious under the clergy above.

Clearly, there was no native nun throughout the period of Bishop A. Delisle, both as Prefect of Kabba and as bishop of Lokoja. Between 1972 when Bishop Makozi took over and now the number of women Religious, who are natives of Lokoja diocese is about thirty-four. The following figures are estimates only:

• Sisters of Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (EHJ) 11;
• Sisters of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) 5;
• The Daughters of the Holy (DHS) 2;
• Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) 1;
• Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM) 1;
• Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel (SSMA) 3;
• Sister of the Order of Preachers(OP) 2;
• Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SSHJ) 3, + 1 within 2006 – 2014;
• Sister of St. Louis (SSL) 6, + 1 within 2006 – 2014.