Southwark: Nigerian politician's brother is new parish priest in Norbiton

Fr Julius with brother Michael, Rev Susan van Beuren,Mayor and Mayoress of the Royal Borough of Kingston and James Berry MP

Fr Julius Otoaye a member of the Missionary Society of St Paul of Nigeria was inducted as parish priest of St Pius X church in Norbiton, in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames on 6 February. Ordained in 2009 in Nigeria, Fr Julius served for a year in South Africa before being assigned assistant priest at St John the Evangelist in Gravesend, Kent in 2011. He is one of ten MSP priests working in the Archdiocese of Southwark.

The Missionary Society was founded in Nigeria 1997 by Cardinal Ekendem and is now established in 15 countries. The order came to the UK in 2000 and their Mission Secretary, Fr.Vitalis Kondo,MSP from Portsmouth Diocese was amongst concelebrating clergy at the Mass officiated at by Bishop Paul Hendricks, South West Area Bishop of the Archdiocese. The Area Dean, Fr Peter Edwards read the letter of appointment from the Archbishop.

Fr Julius' brother, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe CFR, is a prominent figure in Nigerian Politics. He was Deputy 'Governor of Edo Region in Southern Nigeria for eight years before becoming Chief of Staff to the former President. He and his family flew in to attend the Induction.

Following the Mass, a new statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was blessed and the church's first parish hall officially opened by the Bishop. The project had taken over ten years under three parish priests to come to fruition.

Fr Julius said that he hoped the hall would be a resource beneficial to the wider community. There is a strong Filipino community in the area many working at nearby Kingston Hospital and their National Chaplain Fr Cirino Potrido CM was present. Fr Julius is Roman Catholic Chaplain to the busy hospital.

The Mayor and Mayoress of the Royal Borough of Kingston, MP James Berry, Councillor Julie Pickering, the Anglican chaplain to Kingston Hospital Rev Susan van Beuren, and the Rev Peter Holmes Vicar of St Peter's Anglican Church, Norbiton were amongst invited guests attending the packed church and reception afterwards.