(Ogdensburg, NY) North Country priest denied re-entry into U.S.; diocese telling others to stay put [View all]

Source: WWNY-TV - Watertown, NY

North Country priest denied re-entry into U.S.; diocese telling others to stay put

By Lexi Bruening
Published: Nov. 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM EST

OGDENSBURG, New York (WWNY) - The Diocese of Ogdensburg is advising foreign-born priests not to leave the country. It comes after one of its priests was barred from re-entering the United States, despite his legal status here.

Father John Ojuok is a parochial vicar at St. Peter’s, St. Mary’s, and St. Hedwig’s churches in Lewis County.

The parish community calls his presence a wellspring of hope and faith, but one of his most cherished phrases, “I’m happy to see your smiling face,” hasn’t been spoken to parishioners in months.

That’s because Father Ojuok is stuck in Nairobi, Kenya, his home country.

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Read more: https://www.wwnytv.com/2025/11/05/north-country-priest-denied-reentry-into-us-diocese-telling-others-stay-put/