Patrick Eluke


Patrick S. Eluke is a Nigerian Catholic prelate who serves as Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, in Nigeria. He was appointed to that position on 12 February 2019 and was installed at Port Harcourt on 9 May 2019. Before that, from 23 September 1995 until 12 February 2019, he was a priest of the same Catholic diocese. He was appointed bishop by Pope Francis and was concurrently assigned the title of Titular Bishop of Photice. He was consecrated at Port Harcourt on 9 May 2019 by the hands of Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Titular Archbishop of Sutrium. On 9 April 2025, Bishop Patrick Eluke was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Port Harcourt.

Background and education

He was born on 25 March 1967 in Ekpeye, Ahoada, Diocese of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He studied at the local Sacred Heart Minor Seminary. He then studied philosophy at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene. He followed that by studying theology at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, Enugu. Later he graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a Doctorate in biblical studies.

Priest

Patrick Eluke was ordained a priest on 23 September 1995 for the Diocese of Port Harcourt. He served as a priest until 12 February 2019. While a priest, he served in various roles and locations, including:
  • Parish vicar of Saint Anthony's parish, Igwuruta from 1995 until 1996.
  • Pastor of Saint Bernard's parish, Biara from 1996 until 1997.
  • Pastor of Saint Dominic's parish, Bane from 1997 until 2002.
  • Pastor of Saint Francis' parish, Kpean from 1997 until 2002.
  • Pastor of Saint Paul's parish, Ngo from 1997 until 2005.
  • Pastor of the Saints Peter and Paul parish, Elenlenwo from 2005 until 2007.
  • Pastor of the Queen of the Apostles parish, Rumuepirikom from 2007 until 2012.
  • Pastor of the Sacred Heart parish, Mile II Diobu from 2012 until 2013.
  • Chaplain of the Annunciation Chaplaincy, University of Port Harcourt from 2013 until 2015.
  • Lecturer in Biblical Studies, University of Port Harcourt from 2014 until 2019.
  • Parish priest of the Saint Francis of Assisi parish, Rumuokwuta from 2015 until 2019.
  • Director of diocesan Pastoral vocational ministry from 2016 until 2019.

Bishop

On 12 February 2019, Pope Francis appointed Reverend Father Patrick Eluke, of the clergy of Port Harcourt, as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Port Harcourt. He was "expected to work with and assist the substantive bishop, in the discharge of pastoral duties to the Catholic faithful." The auxiliary bishop did not have automatic right of succession when the position fell vacant in the future.
Bishop Patrick Eluke was contemporaneously appointed Titular Bishop of Photice. He was consecrated at Port Harcourt on 9 May 2019 by the hands of Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Titular Archbishop of Sutrium assisted by Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, Archbishop of Calabar and Camillus Archibong Etokudoh, Bishop of Port Harcourt. On 9 April 2025, The Holy Father accepted the age-related resignation request submitted by Bishop Camillus Archibong Etokudoh from pastoral care of the diocese of Port Harcourt. Pope Francis appointed Bishop Patrick Eluke, the auxiliary bishop to be the apostolic administrator of the diocese until a new substantive local ordinary is appointed.