Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha (Latin: Onitshan(us)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiastical province of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Archdiocese of Onitsha

Archidioecesis Onitshanus
Coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Onitsha
Coat of arms
Location
CountryNigeria
TerritoryAnambra State
Ecclesiastical provinceOnitsha
SubdivisionsNnobi Region, Onitsha Region, Dunukofia Region, Iyiowa Region
HeadquartersOnitsha
Coordinates6°9′59.9472″N 6°46′59.9226″E
Statistics
Population
- Total
- Catholics
(as of 2004)
2,060,490
1,373,660 (66.7%)
Parishes196
Schools123
Information
DenominationRoman Catholic
RiteLatin Rite
Established1950.04.18
CathedralHoly Trinity Basilica
Secular priests544
LanguageIgbo
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
ArchbishopValerian Okeke
SuffragansAbakaliki, Aguleri, Awgu, Awka, Enugu, Ekwulobia, Nnewi, Nsukka
Vicar GeneralVery Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okafor
Episcopal VicarsVictor Mbanisi, Emmanuel Egwuoba, Aloysius Ikekwe, JohnBosco Ezika.
Map
Anambra State is shown in red
Anambra State is shown in red
Website
Onitsha-Archdiocese.org
Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha

History

On 25 July 1889, the Apostolic Prefecture of Lower Niger was established out of an area that previously formed part of the larger Apostolic Vicariate of Benin Coast.

On 16 April 1920, the Prefecture was promoted as the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Nigeria. On 9 July 1934, the Vicariate was renamed from Southern Nigeria to Onitsha-Owerri. On 12 February 1948, the Vicariate was renamed again to its present name of Onitsha.

On 18 April 1950, the Vicariate was promoted to a Metropolitan See.

Special churches

The seat of the archbishop is the Holy Trinity Basilica in Onitsha.

Bishops

Prefects Apostolic of Lower Niger {Niger Inferiore}
  • Father Léon-Alexander Lejeune, C.S.Sp. 23 May 1900 – 5 September 1905
  • Father Joseph (Ignatius) Shanahan, C.S.Sp. 20 September 1905 - 16 April 1920 see below
Vicars Apostolic of Southern Nigeria {Nigeria Meridionale}
Vicar Apostolic of Onitsha-Owerri
  • Bishop Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. see above 9 July 1934 – 12 February 1948 see below
Vicar Apostolic of Onitsha
  • Bishop Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. see above 12 February 1948 – 18 April 1950 see below
Archbishops of Onitsha
  • Archbishop Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. see above 18 April 1950 – 26 June 1967
  • Archbishop Francis Arinze 1967.06.26 – 1985.03.09, already appointed Pro-Prefect of the Secretariat of Non-Christians in 1984; elevated to Cardinal in 1985
  • Archbishop Stephen Nweke Ezeanya 1985.03.09 – 1995.02.25
  • Archbishop Albert Kanene Obiefuna 1995.02.25 – 2003.09.01
  • Archbishop Valerian Okeke since 2003.09.01

Coadjutor Bishops

Auxiliary Bishops

  • John of the Cross Anyogu (1957-1962), appointed Bishop of Enugu
  • Denis Chidi Isizoh (2015- 2023) appointed Bishop of Aguleri
  • Emmanuel Otteh (1990-1996), appointed Bishop of Issele-Uku

Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

  • Albert Kanene Obiefuna, appointed Bishop of Awka in 1977; later returned here as Coadjutor
  • Hilary Paul Odili Okeke, appointed Bishop of Nnewi in 2001
  • Jude Thaddeus Okolo (priest here 1983–2001), appointed nuncio and titular archbishop in 2008
  • Mark Onwuha Unegbu (priest here, 1944–1948), appointed Bishop of Owerri in 1970

Suffragan dioceses

Schools

  • Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha
  • Regina Pacis Secondary,Onitsha
  • Mater Amabilis Secondary school, Umuoji
  • St. KizitoSecondaryschool, Umudioka
  • St. Charles College, Onitsha
  • Christ the king College, Onitsha
  • Michael Tansi Memorial Secondary School, Aguleri

See also

References

    Sources

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