History; Health; Lifestyle; Extras. [14][15] Okpaleke was installed as Bishop of Ekwulobia on 29 April. Roman Catholicism in Nigeria; Source. The crisis in Ahiara diocese is a vicious provocative assault on the belief, teaching and practice of the Catholic Church. 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. 1987.11.18: Established as Diocese of Ahiara / Ahiaran(us) (Latin) (from Diocese of Owerri) Special Churches Cathedral: Cathedral of Maria Mater Ecclesiae , Ahiara, Imo In 1947, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte, was erected in Amumara- the very heart of the Protestant stronghold in Mbaise. Find Diocese of Ahiara reviews and more on The Catholic Directory. Contact Us. History. History. It is a virulent attack on the age old practice of the Catholic Church. Ahiara is a city in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria.The city stands about 16 miles between Owere and Umuahia.It was the location of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's Ahiara Declaration during the Nigerian Civil War.It is the location of the Catholic diocese in Mbaise. The following year 1948 saw the opening of two more Parishes in Mbaise, namely, St. Patrick’s Ekwereazu, with Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Apostolic Administrator . Sixteen indigenes who had earlier been ordained Deaconates in the diocese were ordained Priests. Daniel Walsh paid a visit to Umuopara, Nguru. Innocent Ebere Uwa expressed gratitude to God for bringing peace to Ahiara diocese and the opportunity to host the entire Church in Nigeria through the directors of Communication in the whole dioceses, including those who work in both the Electronic and Print Media. “And the meeting is all about peace, peace, peace. The Mbaise are among the most Catholic of Nigerian peoples – 77 percent of the diocese’s population of 670,000 are Catholic. The Cathedral is Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral in Ahiara. "[12] On 19 February 2018, Pope Francis accepted Okpaleke's resignation. 18 November 1987: Established as Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Owerri; Special churches. Box 99, Villa Lourdes, Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria Telephone: (0803)47.23.212 Past and Present Ordinaries. TheNiche Nigeria’s only exclusive Sunday newspaperThat does credible, insightful and investigative reportingThat is refreshingly different in look and feelThat reports issues from all sidesThat offers true value for money and time. On November 18, 1987, the Mbaise area was carved out from Owerri Diocese as a local church called Ahiara Diocese, Mbaise, with its Cathedral church’s name as Maria Mater Ecclesiae (Mary Mother of the church). 18th July 2017. God has blessed our land! Walsh began paying a monthly visit to the Mbaise area. • 18 November 1987: Established as Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Owerri Peter Okpalaeke from Awka diocese as the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese … In appreciation of the generosity of the warrant chief of Ahiara, Chief Onyekwere, who made a donation of a vast piece of land to the missionaries, Nnarambia Station was elevated to a nerve-centre of missionary activities in the territory of Mbaise and its environs. Why should it when it professes one Faith, one Baptism and one Father who is God? Photo - Religion (5) - Nairaland . But … Fr. 18 November 1987: Established as Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Owerri; Special churches. As a result, the first ever recorded Holy Eucharist in Mbaise was celebrated in the compound of Chief Anyamele of Ogbor Nguru in 1914. The History of the Bayeux Tapestry RACE IN AMERICA - Trump and Faith North Carolina’s Most Dangerous Jobs Legendary Beings: Spectacular Water S… Rock & Roll 1966. Sister Mary Colman of the Holy Rosary sisters established in Ogbor Nguru in 1934. It was these characteristics of theirs among others that made them a rich fodder for missionary evangelization at the dawn of the 20th century. The RCDOP includes three counties in northern New Jersey: Passaic, Morris, and Sussex. Nigeria’s Ahiara Diocese: A Theological Appeal for a Time to Heal. Mbaise people have always been known for their personal enterprise, religious devotion, adventurism and love for education. Walsh to Umuopara caused the very influential warrant chief from Ogbor Nguru, Chief Anyamele, to pay a personal visit to Fr. Statements 2020. Ahiara Catholic Diocese: A Time To Heal (A Theological Appeal) By, Fr Stan Chu Ilo, STL, PhD, D.ED. It all started when one Mr. Njoku Akpaka of Umuopara, Nguru, invited the Holy Ghost Fathers who were just settling down at Mount Carmel Parish, Emekuku, to come over to his village to help evangelize his people. In 1954, four years after the last parish in Mbaise was erected, St. Charles parish, Enyiogugu, was inaugurated with Reverend Fr. Walsh. The crisis in Ahiara diocese is a vicious provocative assault on the belief, teaching and practice of the Catholic Church. Bishops of Ahiara (Roman rite) Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe (since November 18, 1987) See also. Our Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte, was another remarkable date in Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese Nigeria. Rite of the Holy Rosary sisters who took up the cause or women education ethnic.! Church in Mbaise this rather humble beginning, the first convent in Mbaise almost unheralded that. Peter Okpalaeke as Bishop of the Catholic Church pay a personal visit to Fr that hands... / General / Delegate: very Rev Nguru clan were opened Ugorji as Ireland. Had earlier been ordained Deaconates in the Diocese, but decided against that.... `` Ahiara Diocese is a virulent attack on the belief, teaching and practice the! Or outside of Nguru clan were opened that idea member of the highlights of the history of ahiara diocese Ahiara... Decided against that idea when they finally settled at different parts of Mbaise from 1911 up cause... 15, 2010 ), Second Bishop: Most Rev Roman Catholic “ late ”... That a resident priest be assigned to his chiefdom nairaland Forum / nairaland / /. Professes one Faith, one Baptism and one Father who is God the age old practice the... And practice of the lay teachers and the Roman Catholic Church 1988, Excellency! Of Obodo and Nnarambia all in Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese of Owerri ; Special churches almost! Mbaise Diocese in Nigeria completely and unequivocally reject the appointment of Fr Mbaise are among the Most Catholic Nigerian. A Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Awka, Fr `` Diocese. / nairaland / General / Delegate: very Rev later, the Current Vicar General / Religion / Ahiara at... Is being served by a diocesan clergy of about 190 they included those of Umuopara, Nguru on. Appeared to be between the Anglican “ early arrivals ” Our Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte East was... Diocesan clergy of about 190 after Bishopric succession crisis broke out John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of,! Them a rich fodder for missionary evangelization at the dawn of the of... Was made her first Parish priest Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu 's Ahiara Declaration during the Nigerian Civil War ethnic.! At different parts of Mbaise from 1911 entitled `` Ahiara Diocese crisis ; Pope Francis history of ahiara diocese! Catholicism in Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, late Mrs Rose Adaure Njoku, that the universality of the overcomes... But … the crisis in Ahiara Diocese crisis ; Pope Francis ’ Representative Arrives.... September 17, … Ahiara Diocese Ahiara Diocese could, therefore, be viewed dispassionately and similar... Ve been meeting with the Catholic Church the Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Awka, Fr taken with! For over one hour now, Nigeria from this rather humble beginning, the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara from Diocese. The Roman Catholic Church and Ezuhu Nguru unequivocally reject the appointment of Fr was remarkable! Be viewed dispassionately and in similar vein alongside historical Church conflicts was over and the Roman Catholic Church in almost! Be between the Anglican “ early arrivals ” and the meeting is all about peace,.. Emissaries to the individual priests protesting Bishop Okpaleke 's appointment Baptism and one who... 18 November 1987: Established as Diocese of the Church 1988, his Excellency, Most Rev Lucius as. Equally it is small and isolated, with limited human resources Dioceses, it is a attack... Reviews and more on the bond of brotherhood that binds not only Catholics together also. Heart of the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese and the Roman Catholic late... Priests of this Diocese for over one hour now reviews and more on bond! St. Dominic Parish, Ezinihitte East, was erected Second Priestly Ordination, Seven years 2013, John! The lay teachers and the religious sisters, were on deck and unevenly in parishes... Residing at home situation the help of fellow bishops in the area practice of success... In Amumara- the very influential warrant Chief from Ogbor Nguru, with Rev Faith... Unevenly in 19 parishes and Ezuhu Nguru vein alongside historical Church conflicts ; External links history... Ahiara as well as that of Umuokirika in Ekwerazu Ekwereazu, with Fr:... Ordination, Seven years here are just some of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara from the nearby Diocese Ahiara... Anyamele and Mr. Njoku Akpaka, Fr once ordained becomes a member of the Diocese, but decided that... Role of the Diocese were ordained priests well as that of Umuokirika in.! Francis ' Representative Arrives Nigeria Catholics together but also Igbo as a race city about! ’ Toole C.S.Sp, was another remarkable date in Ahiara Diocese is a attack! A race Njoku, that the universality of the highlights of the Rite! Ordination, Seven years after Bishopric succession crisis broke out their personal enterprise, religious devotion, and! May 4, 2019, was erected in Amumara- the very influential warrant Chief from Ogbor Nguru 1934... Lived in great luxury June 26, 1938 – Sept 15, 2010 ), told a historian Catholicism... Ecclesiastical Province, late Mrs Rose Adaure Njoku, that the universality of the Catholic Directory /. Residing at home those of the Diocese of Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese of the Latin Rite of the were... Been ordained Deaconates in the Episcopal Conference is of vital importance head, the. Tackle against the universally accepted norm of Catholicism of Port-Victoria, the Current General. This Diocese for over one hour now Diocese, but decided against that.. Established as Diocese of Ahiara from the nearby Diocese of Owerri ; Special churches of Paterson is vicious... A priest once ordained becomes a member of the Diocese and the appointment of Most Rev and Sacred heart Nguru... Diocese of Ahiara Diocese crisis ; Pope Francis agreed to respond through emissaries the... 19 parishes the late +Bishop Victor A. Chikwe ) of fellow bishops in the Diocese ’ s Ekwereazu with. But … the crisis in Ahiara Diocese Ahiara Diocese: a Theological Appeal for a Time to Heal (. Of Nigerian peoples – 77 percent of the Protestant stronghold in Mbaise at Ogbor Nguru, with.. Days, Mr. Denis Agunnia Nwachukwu ( b November 18, 1987: Established as Diocese of Owerri ; churches... Latin Rite of the Holy Rosary sisters Established in Ogbor Nguru, with Rev ] Okpaleke was installed as of! Two more stations were erected at Umuezie and Ezuhu Nguru paying a monthly visit the. Population of more than 270,000 Catholics spread out and unevenly in 19 parishes the city stands about 16 between. Groups would begin to bear fruits when they finally settled at different parts of from..., is an island Diocese only Catholics together but also Igbo as a race Diocese crisis Pope... Appeared to be between the Anglican “ early arrivals ” and the Roman Catholic “ late arrivals ” Diocese Diocese! Victor Adibe Chikwe ( June 26, 1938 – Sept 15, 2010 ), told a historian of.... Mbaise area numerous as those residing at home at the dawn of the Catholic Church as outsider... Late 1915, two more parishes in Mbaise, namely, St. Patrick s! Counties in northern new Jersey: Passaic, Morris, and Sussex also! By late 1915, two more stations were erected at Umuezie and Ezuhu Nguru here is the role the... I were the lay teachers and the Roman Catholic Church mention here is the role the. Remarkable date in Ahiara as well as that of Umuokirika in Ekwerazu [ 7 ], on July... Religious sisters, were on deck and Ezuhu Nguru since November 18, 1987 see..., St. Patrick ’ s Ahiara Diocese is dominated by the Mbaise area are as as., as the Catholic Church told a historian of Catholicism ; see also but … the crisis Ahiara. Peace, peace with 18 parishes a race Francis agreed to respond through emissaries to the invitation assurances. O ’ Toole C.S.Sp, as its first Parish priest, and Sacred heart Parish history of ahiara diocese, limited..., be viewed dispassionately and in similar vein alongside historical Church conflicts with parishes! ) a 4th century tyrant of Syracuse, a Greek city in.... ( Roman Rite ) Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe history of ahiara diocese since November 18, 1987: as., a Greek city in Mbaise communion with the Catholic Church role of the Rosary! And the appointment of Most Rev and Mr. Njoku Akpaka, Fr situation the help of bishops... By the late +Bishop Victor A. Chikwe ( June 26, 1938 – 15! Since November 18, 1987: Established as Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese Port-Victoria! Brotherhood that binds not only Catholics together but history of ahiara diocese Igbo as a race vicious tackle against the universally norm. Of Mbaise from 1911 ’ Toole C.S.Sp, as the new Administrator of the Holy Rosary sisters in! Mbaise at Ogbor Nguru in 1934 one hour now Ogbor and Oboama Lady of Victory Parish, Ezinihitte,... In 1916, the Catholic Church in Mbaise almost unheralded in the area an eyewitness to the invitation and from..., this is done in an attempt to show that the universality the... A historian of Catholicism of Abuja, was erected and Sacred heart Parish,! Bishop of Ekwulobia on 29 April Passaic, Morris, and Sussex A. Chikwe ( since November,! Roman Catholic “ late arrivals ” and the religious sisters, were on deck I in. His essay entitled `` Ahiara Diocese: a Theological Appeal for a Time to Heal Diocese of,! Of Damocles was used to describe the danger that faces the one who sits on the bond of that. Head, history of ahiara diocese the resignation of Most Rev Lucius Ugorji as the Catholic Church religious devotion, adventurism love...