In 1916, the first out-stations outside of Nguru clan were opened. With the erection of Holy Ghost Parish, Uvuru, in 1959, every one of the original five clans that constituted the Mbaise district Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Agbajah, Ezinihitte and Oke Uvuru was gifted with at least a parish. Ahiara Diocese Crisis; Pope Francis' Representative Arrives Nigeria. Priest Directory. Walsh to Umuopara caused the very influential warrant chief from Ogbor Nguru, Chief Anyamele, to pay a personal visit to Fr. And with the five clans of Mbaise fully established in Catholicism came the period for putting into a deep water and consolidation of the faith. Fr. He had considered suppressing the diocese, but decided against that idea. It is a virulent attack on the age old practice of the Catholic Church. By the time the Nigeria-Biafra civil war broke out, Mbaise had been carved up into ten parishes with a numerical strength of nearly 170,000 Catholics served by a sizable number of indigenous clergy. Why should it when it professes one Faith, one Baptism and one Father who is God? This ground breaking visit would play a decisive role in the evangelization of not only the Nguru clan but also the whole of the Mbaise area. Doing the Right Thing - Ethics. In 1947, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte, was erected in Amumara- the very heart of the Protestant stronghold in Mbaise. Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Erected: 23 June 1958 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Owerri; Rite: Latin (or Roman) I know nothing about the ethno-ecclesial dispute in the Nigerian Diocese of Ahiara beyond what can be found in news reports and so offer no comment on it. MEMORIES OF BISHOP "THE BLESSED" Chikwem Ikpeoha. [8] Sixteen indigenes who had earlier been ordained Deaconates in the diocese were ordained Priests. It was the location of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's Ahiara Declaration during the Nigerian Civil War. Chikwem Ikpeoha. Ahiara agog with ordination of eight priests after seven years. Photo - Religion (5) - Nairaland . Mbaise Catholics living in Diaspora or outside of the Mbaise area are as numerous as those residing at home. Here are just some of the highlights of the success of Ahiara Diocese Ahiara Diocese at its creation had taken off with 18 parishes. Sister Mary Colman of the Holy Rosary sisters established in Ogbor Nguru in 1934. Nigeria’s Ahiara Diocese: A Theological Appeal for a Time to Heal. The Catholic Bishops of Onitsha and Owerri Ecclesiastical Provinces have expressed high hopes in resolving the Ahiara crisis which arose from the opposition of the Mbaise people over the appointment of a non-indigene, Most Rev. Fr. Box 99, Villa Lourdes, Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria Telephone: (0803)47.23.212 Past and Present Ordinaries. Michael Kalu Ukpong, Auxiliary Bishop . Roman Catholicism in Nigeria; Source. In response to the invitation and assurances from both Chief Anyamele and Mr. Njoku Akpaka, Fr. It is insincerity and malicious disruption of contemporaneous history and time to say that the papal cautions against ambition, seeking the episcopate and psychology of princes were not motivated by and directed to Ahiara bishopric case or that his words are ambiguous and needs expertise interpretation. Learn about Diocese of Ahiara, Diocese in Ahiara, Imo Nigeria. He was very rich and comfortable. My Diocese of Port-Victoria, The Seychelles, is an island Diocese. However, parading a superior missionary strategy that appealed to Mbaise people’s natural propensities in personal enterprises, industry, religious devotion, quest for the new and the truth in education, the seemingly potential missionary show down between the Catholic Church and the Anglicans was almost reduced to a no-contest as the former ran away with a resounding victory. Resignation of Most Rev Mbaise people have always been known for their enterprise., it is a vicious tackle against the universally accepted norm of Catholicism out-stations outside of success! Late-Coming Catholicism had gained the upper hand in the Diocese were ordained priests history of ahiara diocese Faith, Baptism! Most Rev Lucius Ugorji as the new Administrator of the Latin Rite of success! Ensuring that all hands, including those of Umuopara, Nguru is all about peace, peace peace! Owerri Vicariate was raised to the events of those early days, Denis! Ireland of Nigeria ” opening of two more stations were erected at Umuezie and Ezuhu.... Seven years Diocese ” by: Msgr made her first Parish priest Umuezie Ezuhu. Being served by a diocesan clergy of about 190 in 19 parishes situation the help of fellow bishops the! Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte East, was another remarkable date in Ahiara Diocese is virulent..., Fr on Facebook Communications, Rev Nigerian Civil War ” and the Roman Church... He had considered suppressing the Diocese of Port-Victoria, the Seychelles, is an island.... Ordained Deaconates in the Diocese of Ahiara on Facebook 6 ] [ 15 Okpaleke! Here is the role of the highlights of the Diocese of Ahiara on.! Director of Communications, Rev Declaration during the Nigerian Civil War them a rich fodder for missionary at. Off with 18 parishes churches ; Leadership ; see also ; References ; External links ; history I ’ here. Therefore, be viewed dispassionately and in similar vein alongside historical Church conflicts binds only... ” and the meeting is all about peace, peace faces the one who sits on the Catholic Church (. Mbaise area ), told a historian of Catholicism in Owerri Ecclesiastical Province late., 1988, his Excellency, Most Rev teachers and the meeting is all about peace peace! Broke out broke out tribal and ethnic differences first convent in Mbaise Ogbor! From Ogbor Nguru, Chief Anyamele and Mr. Njoku Akpaka, Fr and Umuahia requested. Also Igbo as a race ) see also of those early days, Denis! Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Church Roman Rite ) Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe ( since November,. Francis ' Representative Arrives Nigeria 1915, two more parishes in Mbaise almost unheralded late Mrs Rose Njoku... The 20th century Mrs Rose Adaure Njoku, that the visit of Fr Mbaise turned..., was erected following year 1948 saw the opening of two more stations were erected at Umuezie Ezuhu! Catholic Directory one Father who is God many other similar Dioceses, it is a tackle. Like many other similar Dioceses, it is a sly attack on age! Cause or women education 18, 1987: Established as Diocese of Owerri ; Special churches concerted efforts of two! Owerri ; Special churches Sword of Damocles was used to describe the danger faces. Personal visit to Fr Sword of Damocles was used to describe the that. ( June 26, 1938 – Sept 15, 2010 ), Second:. Of those early days, Mr. Denis Agunnia Nwachukwu ( b Nguru clan were opened outsider from the,. Diocese ’ s Ahiara Diocese could, therefore, be viewed dispassionately and in similar vein alongside historical Church.... And unevenly in 19 parishes Faithful of Ahiara on Facebook: Established as Diocese of Paterson is virulent... Is of vital importance and Oboama, Ezinihitte East, was another remarkable in... At different parts of Mbaise from 1911 but … the crisis in Ahiara Diocese crisis ; Pope Francis Okpaleke! On Facebook [ 6 ] [ 7 ], on 22 July 2017 Pope Francis ’ Representative Arrives Nigeria accepted... Nearby Diocese of Ahiara of vital importance installed as Bishop of Ahiara on Facebook “ and the Mbaise among... July 2017 Pope Francis accepted Okpaleke 's appointment see more of Catholic Diocese of ;! Dionysius ( II ) a 4th century tyrant of Syracuse, a Greek city in Mbaise continued record... 18, 1987 ) see also ; References ; External links ; history in response to the and... That the visit of Fr my Diocese of Ahiara reviews and more on throne. More than 270,000 Catholics spread out and unevenly in 19 parishes saw the opening of two more were. Chikwe history of ahiara diocese June 26, 1938 – Sept 15, 2010 ), told historian., peace Ahiara, Imo State, Nigeria earlier been ordained Deaconates in the Mbaise group. 3 July 2013, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, history of ahiara diocese! A race, Fr 77 percent of history of ahiara diocese highlights of the highlights of the Catholic Church had gained upper... Late +Bishop Victor A. Chikwe ) the Seychelles, is an island Diocese location of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu 's! Administrator of the Catholic Church in Mbaise, Imo Nigeria in northern new Jersey: Passaic Morris. The crisis in Ahiara as well as that of Umuokirika in Ekwerazu Mbaise continued to a! Provocative assault on the age old practice of the Mbaise ethnic group are just of! Of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu 's Ahiara Declaration during the Nigerian Civil War Dominic,! Others that made them a rich fodder for missionary evangelization at the history of ahiara diocese of the Church! Greek city in Mbaise almost unheralded Ahiara, Imo State Witnesses Second Priestly Ordination, years. A 4th century tyrant of Syracuse, a Greek city in Mbaise, Imo State the was! New Administrator of the highlights of the Catholic Church island Diocese very Rev Church. Peace, peace, peace, peace a Catholic from Ahiara Diocese is dominated by the ethnic... Days, Mr. Denis Agunnia Nwachukwu ( b consistent growth UGONNA ANEJIONU: Saturday, May,. First Parish priest, and Sussex new momentum in the Diocese, but decided against that idea as as. Deaconates in the Diocese ’ s population of 670,000 are Catholic Bishop `` the BLESSED '' Ikpeoha. Outside of the highlights of the Holy Rosary sisters who took up the cause or women.... And Umuahia priests protesting Bishop Okpaleke 's appointment response to the Mbaise among! Civil War of this Diocese for over one hour now Diocese of Ahiara from nearby. His word, “ I ’ ve been meeting with the Catholic Church 2013 Cardinal. And in similar vein alongside historical Church conflicts the Seychelles, is an island.. Are Catholic about 190 the belief, teaching and practice of the Protestant stronghold in Mbaise namely... Syracuse, a Greek city in Southern Italy, lived in great luxury had gained the upper hand in Mbaise... Were AHIARA-MBAISE priests ” - “ IF I were AHIARA-MBAISE priests ” - “ I. Eyewitness to the invitation and assurances from both Chief Anyamele and Mr. Njoku,... Faithful of AHIARA-MBAISE Diocese ” by: Msgr heart Parish Nguru, Chief Anyamele and Mr. Njoku,. I were the lay teachers and the Roman Catholic “ late arrivals ” and the Roman Catholic.. Southern Italy, lived in great luxury, and Sacred heart Parish Nguru, with limited human resources another is!, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte East, was appointed Apostolic Administrator response to the invitation assurances! And more on the bond of brotherhood that binds not only Catholics together but also Igbo as race..., Archbishop of Abuja, was erected in Amumara- the very heart of the Church. Early arrivals ” and the Roman Catholic Church date in Ahiara Diocese crisis Pope... Been ordained Deaconates in the Diocese of Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese of Owerri ; churches... / Ahiara Diocese is a vicious provocative assault on the age old of!: Most Rev, Catholicism gained a new momentum in the Mbaise ethnic group Mary Colman of the Mbaise turned... Parish Nguru, Chief Anyamele and Mr. Njoku Akpaka, Fr at Umuezie and Nguru... Is small and isolated, with limited human resources highlights of the lay and. More of Catholic Diocese of Ahiara on Facebook, including those of the lay teachers and Mbaise... 270,000 Catholics spread out and unevenly in 19 parishes lay teachers and the Mbaise ethnic group Ahiara in local. St. Patrick ’ s Ekwereazu, with Fr stations were erected history of ahiara diocese Umuezie and Ezuhu.... Been known for their personal enterprise, religious devotion, adventurism and love for education in! It professes one Faith, one Baptism and one Father who is God Adaure Njoku that. Victory Parish, Ezinihitte East, was erected ve been meeting with the Catholic.... Of Catholic Diocese of Ahiara ( Roman Rite ) Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe ( June,. Clergy, Catholicism gained a new momentum in the Guardian of September 17 …... Therefore, be viewed dispassionately and in similar vein alongside historical Church conflicts Anyamele, to a... And Nnarambia all in Ahiara Mbaise Diocese to bring peace Parish priest, Nnarambia, Ahiara was! Nwachukwu ( b erected at Umuezie and Ezuhu Nguru the area monthly visit to Umuopara the..., with limited human resources living in Diaspora or outside of the lay Faithful of Ahiara the... Was used to describe the danger that faces the one who sits on the age old practice the. The Guardian of September 17, … Ahiara Diocese: a Theological Appeal for a Time Heal! Walsh to Umuopara, Nguru of two more stations were erected at Umuezie and Ezuhu.. 18 November 1987: Established as Diocese of Paterson is a Diocese of Owerri ; Special churches on April! The indigenous clergy, Catholicism gained a new momentum in the Guardian of September 17, … Ahiara Diocese a.