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.

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Quick facts Archdiocese of Onitsha Archidioecesis Onitshanus, Location ...

Archdiocese of Onitsha Archidioecesis Onitshanus

Coat of arms
Location
Country	Nigeria
Territory	Anambra State
Ecclesiastical province	Onitsha
Subdivisions	Nnobi Region, Onitsha Region, Dunukofia Region, Iyiowa Region
Headquarters	Onitsha
Coordinates	6°9′59.9472″N 6°46′59.9226″E
Statistics
Population Total Catholics	(as of 2004) 2,060,490 1,373,660 (66.7%)
Parishes	196
Schools	123
Information
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Rite	Latin Rite
Established	1950.04.18
Cathedral	Holy Trinity Basilica
Secular priests	544
Language	Igbo
Current leadership
Pope	Leo XIV
Archbishop	Valerian Okeke
Suffragans	Abakaliki, Aguleri, Awgu, Awka, Enugu, Ekwulobia, Nnewi, Nsukka
Vicar General	Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okafor
Episcopal Vicars	Victor Mbanisi, Martin Ikeagu , Aloysius Ikekwe, Victor Ezeanya.
Map
Anambra State is shown in red
Website
Onitsha-Archdiocese.org

Prefects Apostolic of Lower Niger {Niger Inferiore}

Father Léon-Alexander Lejeune, C.S.Sp. 23 May 1900 – 5 September 1905
Father Joseph Shanahan, C.S.Sp. 20 September 1905 - 16 April 1920 see below

Vicars Apostolic of Southern Nigeria {Nigeria Meridionale}

Bishop Joseph Shanahan, C.S.Sp. see above 16 April 1920 - 21 May 1931
Bishop Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. 21 May 1931 – 9 July 1934 see below

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 Ezeanya 1985.03.09 – 1995.02.25
Archbishop Albert Obiefuna 1995.02.25 – 2003.09.01
Archbishop Valerian Okeke since 2003.09.01

Coadjutor Bishops

Francis Arinze (1965-1967), did not have right of succession (?) but was appointed Archbishop here; future Cardinal
Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. (1927-1931), as Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic
Albert Obiefuna (1994-1995), as Coadjutor Archbishop
Valerian Okeke (2001-2003), as Coadjutor Archbishop

Auxiliary Bishops

John 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 the diocese who became bishops

Albert 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

Archdiocese of Onitsha

History

Special churches

Bishops

Coadjutor Bishops

Auxiliary Bishops

Other priests of the diocese who became bishops

Suffragan dioceses

Schools

See also

References

External links

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