Jurisdiction: | Archdiocese |
Owerri | |
Latin: | Archidioecesis Overriensis |
Country: | Nigeria |
Territory: | Imo State |
Province: | Owerri |
Coordinates: | 5.485°N 7.035°W |
Denomination: | Catholic |
Sui Iuris Church: | Latin Church |
Rite: | Roman Rite |
Bishop Title: | Archbishop |
Suffragans: | Aba, Ahiara, Okigwe, Orlu, Umuahia |
Suffragan: | for one --> |
Archdeacon: | for one--> |
Emeritus Bishops: | Anthony J. V. Obinna |
Map: | Nigeria Imo State map.png |
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri (Latin: Archidioecesis Overriensis) is located in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The Seat of Wisdom Seminary is in Owerri. The archdiocese covers an area of 2,996 km2. 670,986 of the 1.7 million people in the area are member of the Catholic Church.
The diocese dates back to the Vicariate Apostolic of Owerri, which was created on February 12, 1948, when the Vicariate Apostolic of Onitsha-Owerri was split. On April 18, 1950, it was elevated to a diocese. On March 26, 1994, it became an Archdiocese.
On 27 December 2020, auxiliary bishop Moses Chikwe and his driver were kidnapped by gunmen in Owerri. They were both released unharmed and without ransom, on 1 January 2021.[1]