Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha

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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 / 6.166652000°N 6.783311833°E / 6.166652000; 6.783311833
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

History

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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

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

Bishops

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Prefects Apostolic of Lower Niger {Niger Inferiore}
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

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Auxiliary Bishops

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Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

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Suffragan dioceses

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Schools

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See also

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References

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Sources

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