Diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria 🇳🇬

Continent: Western and Northern Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Ahiara / Ahiaran(us) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Owerri

Neighbouring Dioceses: Owerri (←), Okigwe (↑), Umuahia (→), Aba (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1987.11.18: Established as Diocese of Ahiara / Ahiaran(us) (Latin) (from Diocese of Owerri and became suffragan of Onitsha)
1994.03.26: Became suffragan of Owerri

Present Prelates

Bishop (2024.05.03 – ...):

Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F. (66)

Monsignors (13)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Ahiara (Roman Rite)

Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F. (66)
(2024.05.03 – ...)

Bishop of Ahiara (Nigeria)

Spes non confundit

Born:	1960.03.25 (Eziama Oparanadim Ekwereazu, Nigeria)
Ordained Priest:	1990.07.21
Consecrated Bishop:	2023.12.19

Titular Bishop of Rusguniæ (2023.10.14 – 2024.05.03)

Auxiliary Bishop of Ahiara (Nigeria) (2023.10.14 – 2024.05.03)

Bishop of Ahiara (Nigeria) (2024.05.03 – ...)

Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji (74)
(Apostolic Administrator 2018.02.19 – 2024.05.03)

Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan (82)
(Apostolic Administrator sede plena 2013.07.03 – 2018.02.19)

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke (63) (later Cardinal)
(2012.12.07 – 2018.02.19 not possessed)

Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno
Bishop of Ekwulobia (Nigeria)

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Born:	1963.03.01 (Amesi, Nigeria)
Ordained Priest:	1992.08.22
Consecrated Bishop:	2013.05.21
Created Cardinal:	2022.08.27

Priest of Awka (Nigeria) (1992.08.22 – 2012.12.07)

Bishop of Ahiara (Nigeria) (2012.12.07 – 2018.02.19 not possessed)

Bishop of Ekwulobia (Nigeria) (2020.03.05 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno (2022.08.27 [2023.02.05] – ...)

Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe
(1987.11.18 – 2010.09.16)

Born:	1938.06.24 (Ihitte Ezinihitte, Nigeria)
Ordained Priest:	1966.04.17
Consecrated Bishop:	1988.01.06
Died:	2010.09.16 († 72)

Priest of Owerri (Nigeria) (1966.04.17 – 1987.11.18)

Bishop of Ahiara (Nigeria) (1987.11.18 – 2010.09.16)

Former Prelates

Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F. (66) (2023.10.14 – 2024.05.03)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of Maria Mater Ecclesiae, Ahiara, Imo

Owerri (←), Okigwe (↑), Umuahia (→), Aba (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 425 km²

Population: 457,969 Catholics (69.8% of 656,471 total)

Pastoral Centres: 84 parishes

Personnel: 193 priests (183 diocesan, 10 religious), 173 religious (10 brothers, 163 sisters), 90 seminarians