Roman Catholic Diocese of Aba

Roman Catholic Diocese of Aba
Diocese of Aba
Dioecesis Abanus
Location
Country Nigeria
Metropolitan Owerri
Statistics
Area 2,494 km2 (963 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		 (as of 2005)
2,253,090
585,021 (26.0%)
Parishes 49
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Rite Latin Rite
Secular priests 90
Current leadership
Bishop Vincent Ezeonyia

Aba Diocese was the formal Aba zone which excised from Umuahia and became a Diocese on April 2nd, 1990. Its first residential Bishop,Most Rev Dr. Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia, CSSp. was installed on the 2nd July, 1990 at Christ the King Church; he was ordained Bishop 1st July, 1990 at Mater Dei Cathedral Umuahia. At the time the Catholic Diocese of Aba was created, there were 24 Parishes, 33 indigenous priests including those born and bred in Aba, many Religious men and women and a catholic population of 227,225. The bulk of the Catholic population was concentrated in Aba Urban and its immediate environs.

The Catholic Diocese of Aba has recorded some striking progress since its inception in July, 1990 when His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Vincent valentine Ezeonyia. C.S.Sp, began to pilot the administrative reins. The diocese has now 144 priests (with the exception of the dead priests and those who have incardinated into another diocese). She has now 59 parishes; the Diocese equally has a handsome number of her sons in the seminaries, and good number of her daughters in the convents.

As the Diocese focuses on deepening the faith, it also focuses on improving the lot of the masses. The Bishop has built many secondary schools and numerous primary schools. The Diocese has a hospital, (St Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Ohabiam, Aba) and some Health Centres/Maternities. The Diocese is committed to improving and developing her schools, the hospital and health centers so that they can render the best of services to humanity.

During the Great Jubilee Year 2000 of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Diocese celebrated the 10th Anniversary of her Creation. In this Jubilee year celebration the Bishop of the Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Vincent valentine Ezeonyia. C.S.Sp, the Clergy and lay Faithful decided to hold a diocesan synod, A Synod for true Christian identity. This Synod of the Catholic Diocese of Aba came at a favourable time, a time when the Church calls her sons and daughters for a sober reflection. A time of Grace, Repentance, Renewal, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Healing and Thanksgiving. The synod sessions were held in 2001.

THE HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE IN A CHART

1. ADVENT OF THE MISSIONARIES 1916

2. THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL PRIEST 1918

3. BLESSING OF THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING 1929

4. BECAME A PASTORAL ZONE 23 JUNE, 1958

5. CREATED AS A DIOCESE 2 APRIL, 1990

6. THE FIRST BISHOP MOST REV. DR. V.V. EZEONYIA, C.S.Sp

7. FIRST SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE “TRUE CHRISTIAN IDENTITY” 29th May -3rd June 2001

8. DEDICATION OF THE CATHEDRAL 14 DECEMBER 2002

9. PATRON OF THE DIOCESE CHRIST THE KING

10. NUMBER OF PARISHES 59

11. NUMBER OF DIOCESAN PRIESTS 147

12. NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS PRIESTS 18

13. NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS SISTERS 111

14. NUMBER OF SEMINARIANS 81

15. NUMBER OF CATECHISTS 250

External links

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