Roman Catholic Diocese of Ahiara
Diocese of Ahiara Dioecesis Ahiaranus | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Territory | Mbaise, Imo State |
| Ecclesiastical province | Owerri |
| Metropolitan | Archbishop of Owerri |
| Coordinates | 5°31′40.2″N 7°16′23.9″E / 5.527833°N 7.273306°E Ahiara |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 425 km2 (164 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2004) 510,623 401,506 (78.6%) |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | November 18, 1987 |
| Cathedral | Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral in Ahiara. |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | There is no substantive bishop John Cardinal Onaiyekan is the apostolic administrator. |
| Map | |
 Ahiara is in Imo State which is shown in red. | |
| Website | |
| AhiaraDiocese.org | |
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ahiara (Latin: Ahiaran(us)) is a diocese located in Ahiara in the region of Mbaise in Imo State in the Ecclesiastical province of Owerri in Nigeria.
History
- November 18, 1987: Established as Diocese of Ahiara from the Diocese of Owerri
Special churches
Leadership
- Bishops of Ahiara
- Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe (1987-2010)
- Bishop Peter Okpalaeke (2013–Present)
- John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan is appointed the apostolic administrator
There is an ongoing disagreement in this diocese following the appointment of Bishop Peter Okpalaeke from Awka diocese. So at this point it would be fool hardy to mention any one as the bishop hence the diocese is not fully operational for over 4 years since the demise of the former bishop, however the archbishop of Abuja archdiocese John Cardinal Onaiyekan is named the apostolic administrator pending when a substantive bishop is named.
Following his consecration elsewhere as a bishop, Bishop Okpaleke was rejected and denied possession of the Ahiara diocese by the clergy of the diocese, on the ground that the process that led to his selection was flawed. The Ahiara diocesan clergy are yet to provide one tangible evidence to show or support that the selection of Bishop Okpalaeke was flawed. (It is important to note that a Bishop must not serve in a local diocese to be appointed Bishop of such a diocese). It said that his emergence was a surprise, (it is also important to note that the selection of every Bishop in the Catholic world is done in apt secrecy. It is always a surprise as to who is appointed Bishop) that he is not qualified to be named a bishop where he never served. Against this background the clergy and laity are demanding to be given a bishop from amongst them. According to canon law, Monsignor Okpalaeke had up till May 25, 2013 to take possession of the diocese, which could not be accomplished, hence rendering him a bishop without domain—a titular bishop.
Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, has been tapped as apostolic administrator.