Fr. Emmanuel Ekanem preparing for Chaplaincy with the Canadian Armed Forces

From the Office of the Vicar General & Chancellor Msgr. Charles Lavoie:
Download this letter as a PDF here.


February 19, 2025

To Clergy and Faithful of the Archdiocese,


After considerable thought and prayer, and in dialogue with Archbishop Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ekanem applied to serve in the Chaplaincy for the Canadian Armed Forces. After many months of waiting, Fr. Emmanuel received a letter of acceptance upon his return from Nigeria a couple of weeks ago. Alerting the Archbishop of this progress, Fr. Emmanuel has been busy preparing for this new experience. Fr. Emmanuel is expected in Comox, British Columbia the week of February 24, 2025. He will be in training for a period of weeks before contractual acceptance is received.

Fr. Emmanuel Ekanem offers the homily during Mass at St. Joseph Church in Grande Prairie, Nov. 11th 2021.

We realize that this is short notice and will be a surprise to many. However, we support Father Emmanuel in this endeavor with fraternal love, prayer and blessing. Fr. Emmanuel remains a priest of the archdiocese. His contract with the Armed Forces is possibly for a few years at which time, he will be able to return to the archdiocese.


Msgr Charles Lavoie PH
Vicar General/Chancellor