Resignations and Appointments, 12.02.2023
Erection of the diocese of Aguleri, Nigeria, and appointment of first bishop
The Holy Father has erected the new diocese of Aguleri, Nigeria, dismembering the archdiocese of Onitsha and making it a suffragan of the same metropolitan see.
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Denis Chidi Isizoh, until now titular bishop of Legia and auxiliary of the archdiocese of Onitsha, as the first bishop of Aguleri.
Statistical data
The newly-erected diocese of Aguleria [Latin: Aguleriensis] is situated in south-east Nigeria, in the State of Anambra, including four Local Government Areas: Anambra West, Anambra East, Oyi and Ayamelum. The new ecclesiastical circumscription was dismembered from the archdiocese of Onitsha and made a suffragan of the same metropolitan see. The cathedral church of the new diocese will be the existing Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Aguleri.
| |
Onitsha before
division
|
New diocese
of Aguleri
|
Onitsha after
division
|
Area
|
2,778 km²
|
1,388 km²
|
1,390 km²
|
Inhabitants
|
4,060,880
|
1,857,060
|
2,203,820
|
Catholics
|
2,215,025
|
357,965
|
1,857,060
|
Parishes
|
189
|
63
|
126
|
Secular priests
|
528
|
113
|
415
|
Religious priests
|
20
|
7
|
13
|
Men religious
|
84
|
6
|
78
|
Women religious
|
702
|
310
|
392
|
Catechists
|
342
|
151
|
191
|
Major seminarians
|
191
|
59
|
132
|
Minor seminarians
|
366
|
59
|
307
|
Major seminaries
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
Minor seminaries
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
Primary schools
|
178
|
119
|
59
|
Secondary schools
|
81
|
43
|
38
|
Charitable institutions
|
13
|
5
|
8
|
“Local Government Areas”
|
10
|
4
|
6
|
|
|
