• Source: 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.




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}
Bishop Joseph (Ignatius) 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 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

=
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 Kanene Obiefuna (1994-1995), as Coadjutor Archbishop
Valerian Maduka Okeke (2001-2003), as Coadjutor Archbishop




= 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


Abakaliki
Aguleri
Awgu
Awka
Ekwulobia
Enugu
Nnewi
Nsukka




Schools


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




See also


Roman Catholicism in Nigeria




References






Sources


GCatholic.org
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, official website
Catholic-Hierarchy page about Onitsha
MOST REV. VALERIAN M. OKEKE – …Ut Vitam Habeant

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Keuskupan Agung Onitsha
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha
• Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Nnewi
• Charles Heerey
• List of Catholic archdioceses
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri
• Albert Obiefuna
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Nsukka
• Catholic Church in Nigeria
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Enugu