Ahiara (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 18 November 1987
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Owerri
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Nigeria
Square Kilometers: 425 (164 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: https://ahiaracatholicdiocese.org
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 205, Ogbe, Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise L.G.A., Imo State, Nigeria
Telephone: (0806)60.44.235; (0803)38.99.615

Past and Present Ordinaries

Victor Adibe Chikwe † (18 Nov 1987 Appointed - 16 Sep 2010 Died)
Peter Ebere Okpaleke (7 Dec 2012 Appointed - 19 Feb 2018 Resigned)
Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F. (3 May 2024 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
18 November 1987	Erected	Diocese of Owerri (Mbaise)	Diocese of Ahiara (erected)
26 March 1994	Metropolitan Changed		Diocese of Ahiara (from Onitsha)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1990 331,443 391,430 84.7% 52 52 6,373 24 23 ap1991

1999 398,522 495,772 80.4% 86 4 90 4,428 4 39 46 ap2000

2000 407,522 508,166 80.2% 92 2 94 4,335 4 39 48 ap2001

2001 422,110 520,870 81.0% 115 2 117 3,607 4 39 51 ap2002

2002 392,968 490,288 80.2% 106 3 109 3,605 7 41 52 ap2003

2003 395,560 502,545 78.7% 113 3 116 3,410 3 44 56 ap2004

2004 401,506 510,623 78.6% 112 3 115 3,491 3 51 62 ap2005

2006 416,000 539,000 77.2% 126 3 129 3,224 3 57 66 ap2007

2012 489,000 634,000 77.1% 115 7 122 4,008 16 112 73 ap2013

2015 519,000 673,000 77.1% 128 7 135 3,844 16 127 73 ap2016

2018 450,520 669,755 67.3% 103 10 113 3,986 10 163 73 ap2019

2020 443,187 639,542 69.3% 147 8 155 2,859 8 158 79 ap2021

2022 453,005 656,000 69.1% 175 9 184 2,461 9 168 82 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1990	331,443	391,430	84.7%	52		52	6,373		24	23	ap1991
1999	398,522	495,772	80.4%	86	4	90	4,428	4	39	46	ap2000
2000	407,522	508,166	80.2%	92	2	94	4,335	4	39	48	ap2001
2001	422,110	520,870	81.0%	115	2	117	3,607	4	39	51	ap2002
2002	392,968	490,288	80.2%	106	3	109	3,605	7	41	52	ap2003
2003	395,560	502,545	78.7%	113	3	116	3,410	3	44	56	ap2004
2004	401,506	510,623	78.6%	112	3	115	3,491	3	51	62	ap2005
2006	416,000	539,000	77.2%	126	3	129	3,224	3	57	66	ap2007
2012	489,000	634,000	77.1%	115	7	122	4,008	16	112	73	ap2013
2015	519,000	673,000	77.1%	128	7	135	3,844	16	127	73	ap2016
2018	450,520	669,755	67.3%	103	10	113	3,986	10	163	73	ap2019
2020	443,187	639,542	69.3%	147	8	155	2,859	8	158	79	ap2021
2022	453,005	656,000	69.1%	175	9	184	2,461	9	168	82	ap2023