Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha ( la, Onitshan(us)) is the

Metropolitan Metropolitan may refer to: * Metropolitan area, a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories * Metropolitan borough, a form of local government district in England * Metropolitan county, a typ ...

See for the

ecclesiastical province An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian Churches with traditional hierarchical structure, including Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity. In general, an ecclesiastical province consists of sev ...

Onitsha Onitsha ( or just ''Ọ̀nị̀chà'') is a city located on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. A metropolitan city, Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education. I ...

Anambra State Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on August 27, 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi St ...

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

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 Apostolic may refer to: The Apostles An Apostle meaning one sent on a mission: *The Twelve Apostles of Jesus, or something related to them, such as the Church of the Holy Apostles *Apostolic succession, the doctrine connecting the Christian Chur ...

. 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 Owerri ( , ) is the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of Igboland. It is also the state's largest city, followed by Orlu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema. Owerri consists of three Local Government Areas including Owerri Municipal, ...

. 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 * 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 * Bishop Joseph (Ignatius) Shanahan, C.S.Sp. ''see above'' 16 April 1920 - 21 May 1931 * Bishop

Charles Heerey Charles Heerey B.A., C.S.Sp. (1890–1967) was an Irish-born priest of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), who served as a bishop in Nigeria. Born in Castlerahan, Clonkeefey, Co. Cavan. He was educated by the Holy Ghost fathers in Blac ...

, 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 Nweke Ezeanya Stephen or Steven is a common English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( grc-gre, Στέφανος ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to death; h ...

1985.03.09 – 1995.02.25 * Archbishop

Albert Kanene Obiefuna Albert Kanene Obiefuna (January 30, 1930 – May 11, 2011) was the Roman Catholic archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, ...

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 *

, C.S.Sp. (1927-1931), as Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic *

(1994-1995), as Coadjutor Archbishop *

Valerian Maduka Okeke Valerian Maduka Okeke (born 20 October 1953) is a Nigerian prelate who serves as the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province. He was born in Umudioka, Anambra State and ordained to ...

(2001-2003), as Coadjutor Archbishop

Auxiliary Bishops

John of the Cross Anyogu John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

(1957-1962), appointed Bishop of Enugu *

Denis Chidi Isizoh Denis may refer to: People * Saint Denis of Paris, 3rd-century Christian martyr and first bishop of Paris * Denis the Areopagite, Biblical figure * Denis, son of Ampud (died 1236), baron in the Kingdom of Hungary * Denis the Carthusian (1402– ...

(2015- 2023) appointed Bishop of Aguleri * Emmanuel Otteh (1990-1996), appointed Bishop of Issele-Uku

Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

, appointed Bishop of Awka in 1977; later returned here as Coadjutor * Hilary Paul Odili Okeke, appointed Bishop of Nnewi in 2001 *

Jude Thaddeus Okolo Jude Thaddeus Okolo KC*HS (born 18 December 1956) is a prelate of the Catholic Church who has worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 1990. He has been an archbishop since 2008 and held the post of Apostolic Nuncio in several count ...

(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

Abakaliki Abakaliki is the capital city of Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria, located southeast of Enugu. The inhabitants are primarily members of the Igbo nation. It was the headquarters of the Ogoja province before the creation of the Southeastern ...

* Aguleri *

Awgu Awgu is the Headquarters of Awgu Local Government Area (LGA) in Enugu State, Nigeria and the Headquarters of Awgu Catholic Diocese. The Catholic Cathedral is said to resemble a space ship when viewed with Google Earth. The town is also the Or ...

Awka Awka () is the capital city of Anambra State, Nigeria. The city was declared capital on 21 August 1991, after the creation of Anambra and Enugu state, which moved the capital from Enugu to Awka (an administrative center since pre.-colonial times). ...

Ekwulobia Ekwulobia is an Igbo-speaking town in southeastern Nigeria. It is the one of the largest cities in Anambra State after Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi and their respective conurbations. It is the headquarters of the present Aguata local government an ...

Enugu Enugu ( ; ) is the capital city of Enugu State in Nigeria. It is located in southeastern part of Nigeria. The city had a population of 820,000 according to the 2022 Nigerian census. The name ''Enugu'' is derived from the two Igbo words ''Én ...

Nnewi Nnewi is a commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. It is the second largest and second most populous city in the southern part of the country. Nnewi as a metropolis has one local government area, which is Nnewi Nort ...

Nsukka Nsukka is a town and a Local Government Area in Enugu State, Nigeria. Nsukka shares a common border as a town with Edem, Opi (archaeological site), Ede-Oballa, and Obimo. The postal code of the area is 410001 and 410002 respectively re ...

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

References

Sources

GCatholic.org

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, official website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Onitsha Roman Catholic dioceses in Nigeria

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lett ...

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha ( la, Onitshan(us)) is the Metropolitan bishop, Metropolitan Episcopal See, See for the ecclesiastical province of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria. History On 25 July 1889, the Apostolic prefect, Apos ...

Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Onitsha