Roman Catholic Diocese of Aba

There is also a Bishop and Diocese of Aba in the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

Diocese of Aba Dioecesis Abanus
Location
Country	Nigeria
Territory	Abia State
Ecclesiastical province	Owerri
Metropolitan	Archbishop of Owerri
Coordinates	5°31′34″N 7°29′22″E Umuahia
Statistics
Area	2,494 km2 (963 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2005) 2,253,090 585,021 (26%)
Parishes	59
Information
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Rite	Latin Rite
Established	2 April 1990
Cathedral	Mater Dei Cathedral in Umuahia
Patron	Christ the King
Secular priests	147
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Vacant
Map
The cathedral is in Umuahia which is located in Abia State shown here in red.
Website
Profile

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aba takes its name from the major commercial city of Aba in Abia State although the cathedral and seat of the diocese is located in the state capital, Umuahia. The diocese was established on April 2, 1990. Its first diocesan bishop, Most Rev Dr. Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia, CSSp. was installed on 2 July 1990 at Christ the King Church; he was ordained Bishop 1 July 1990 at Mater Dei Cathedral in 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. Dr. Ezeonyia died in 2015.

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.

Outline of the History of the Diocese

1. Arrival of first Roman Catholic missionaries, 1916
2. The first resident priest, 1918
3. Blessing of the first church building, 1929
4. Erected as a pastoral zone, 1958
5. Erected as a diocese, 2 April 1990
6. The first bishop, Most Reverend Doctor V. V. Ezeonyia, C.S.Sp.
7. First synod of the diocese, "True Christian Identity," 29 May - 3 June 2001
8. Mass of Dedication of the Cathedral of Mater Dei, 14 December 2002
9. Patron of the diocese, Christ the King
10. Parishes, 59
11. Diocesan priests, 147
12. Religious priests, 18
13. Religious sisters, 111
14. Seminarians, 81
15. Catechists, 250

Leadership

• Bishop: Reverend Doctor Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia, CSSp. (1990-2015; his death)

External links

• Official website of the diocese, www.catholicdioceseofaba.org
• GCatholic.org information