Archdiocese of Onitsha

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Lower Niger {Niger Inferiore}
  • Erected: 25 July 1889
  • Country: Nigeria

• Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Nigeria {Nigeria Meridionale}
  • Latin Name: Nigeriae Meridionalis
  • Elevated: 16 April 1920
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Nigeria

• Vicariate Apostolic of Onitsha-Owerri
  • Latin Name: Onitshanus-
  • Name Changed: 9 July 1934
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Nigeria

• Vicariate Apostolic of Onitsha
  • Latin Name: Onitshanus
  • Split: 12 February 1948
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Nigeria

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Joseph Lutz, C.S.Sp. † ( 1889 Appointed - 17 Dec 1895 Died)
• Léon-Alexander Lejeune, C.S.Sp. † (23 May 1900 Appointed - 5 Sep 1905 Died)
• Joseph (Ignatius) Shanahan, C.S.Sp. † (20 Sep 1905 Appointed - 21 May 1931 Resigned)
• Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. † (21 May 1931 Succeeded - 26 Jun 1967 Died)
• Francis Arinze (26 Jun 1967 Appointed - 9 Mar 1985 Resigned)
• Stephen Nweke Ezeanya † (9 Mar 1985 Appointed - 25 Feb 1995 Retired)
• Albert Kanene Obiefuna (25 Feb 1995 Succeeded - 1 Sep 2003 Resigned)
• Valerian Okeke (1 Sep 2003 Succeeded - )

Historical Summary

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Archdiocese of Onitsha
1950	139,390	1,250,000	11.2%	58	53	111	1,255			40		ap1951
1970	380,000	1,291,800	29.4%	35	15	50	7,600		15	43	4	ap1971
1980	375,000	960,000	39.1%	50	13	63	5,952		38	91	34	ap1981
1990	754,498	1,174,744	64.2%	111	26	137	5,507		82	228	66	ap1991
1999	1,426,559	2,173,536	65.6%	256	37	293	4,868		116	357	111	ap2000
2000	1,543,213	2,260,209	68.3%	243	37	280	5,511		128	449	113	ap2001
2001		1,558,714	.0%	267	23	290	0		132	436	68	ap2002*
2002	1,072,127	1,608,190	66.7%	243	22	265	4,045		77	412	75	ap2003
2003	1,094,873	1,648,395	66.4%	261	28	289	3,788		109	420	77	ap2004
2004	1,373,660	2,060,490	66.7%	265	34	299	4,594		119	410	85	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Francis Arinze (Priest: 23 Nov 1958; Coadjutor Bishop: 6 Jul 1965; Archbishop: 26 Jun 1967 to 9 Mar 1985)
• Albert Kanene Obiefuna (Priest: 21 Dec 1963 to 10 Nov 1977; Coadjutor Archbishop: 9 Sep 1994; Archbishop: 25 Feb 1995 to 1 Sep 2003)
• Hilary Paul Odili Okeke (Priest: 20 Apr 1974 to 9 Nov 2001)
• Valerian Okeke (Priest: 11 Jul 1981; Coadjutor Archbishop: 9 Nov 2001; Archbishop: 1 Sep 2003)
• Jude Thaddeus Okolo (Priest: 2 Jul 1983 to 9 Nov 2001)
• Emmanuel Otteh (Priest: 30 Jul 1961; Auxiliary Bishop: 11 Jun 1990 to 8 Nov 1996)

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• John of the Cross Anyogu † (Priest: 8 Dec 1930; Auxiliary Bishop: 15 Feb 1957 to 12 Nov 1962)
• Stephen Nweke Ezeanya † (Priest: 20 Dec 1953; Archbishop: 9 Mar 1985 to 25 Feb 1995)
• Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 24 Jan 1927; Vicar Apostolic: 21 May 1931; Archbishop: 18 Apr 1950 to 26 Jun 1967)
• Léon-Alexander Lejeune, C.S.Sp. † (Prefect: 23 May 1900 to 5 Sep 1905)
• Joseph Lutz, C.S.Sp. † (Prefect: 1889 to 17 Dec 1895)
• Joseph (Ignatius) Shanahan, C.S.Sp. † (Prefect: 20 Sep 1905; Vicar Apostolic: 22 Apr 1920 to 21 May 1931)
• Mark Onwuha Unegbu † (Priest: 30 Jun 1944 to 12 Feb 1948)