Catholic Diocese of Nnewi

25/01/2026

Happy Birthday to Our Shepherd 🎉

Today, we joyfully celebrate the birthday of Our Bishop, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, the father and shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi.

We thank God for the gift of his life, his episcopal ministry, and his tireless service to the Church.

Through his pastoral leadership, fatherly guidance, and commitment to evangelization, our Diocese continues to grow in faith, unity, and mission.

We pray that the Lord grants him good health, renewed strength, wisdom, and many more years of fruitful service in the vineyard of the Lord.

🙏 Ad multos annos, Your Lordship!

24/01/2026

24/01/2026

Today, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi joyfully celebrates 25 years of priestly service of Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of the Diocese.

We thank God for a life of faithful service, quiet dedication, and unwavering commitment to the Church. As Chancellor, Fr. Ezeogu has served the Diocese with integrity, prudence, and deep love for the mission of Christ.

May the Lord, who called him to His vineyard, continue to strengthen him with abundant grace and joy in ministry.

🙏 Ad multos annos!

22/01/2026

The Episcopal Household together with the cathedral administrative household gathered to celebrate our emeritus bishop.

22/01/2026

Happy birthday to Our dearest Emeritus Bishop, Most Rev Hilary Paul Odili Okeke.

The man that built the foundation on which this Diocese stands. NNAORA!!!

We can't celebrate you less. Congratulations and more health to you.

18/01/2026

St. Paul’s Seminary Annual Patronal Feast Day.

Today, we joined the St. Paul’s Seminary family in celebrating their annual Patronal Feast.

The event commenced with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye.

In his deeply inspiring homily, the Bishop emphasized the urgent need for collective support toward the Church’s mission of training responsible, disciplined, and value-driven individuals. He highlighted that these young men, through proper formation, will either become devoted priests or responsible gentlemen who will contribute meaningfully to the growth and moral stability of society.

Within the celebration of the Mass, the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to some of the students reaffirming their commitment to the Christian faith.

Following the liturgical celebration, the feast transitioned into its social and entertainment segments, which included different displays of talents and dnaces.

The Seminary through her address to the parents and visitors, made their requests and needs known to the public, soliciting for support towards the completion of the Seminary Chapel and facelifting of the seminary structures to meet the trends of the time.

Notably, several individuals and benefactors made generous donations toward the continued growth and development of the seminary. In a remarkable display of personal commitment, some donors went beyond financial contributions by taking responsibility for tidying and improving the seminary avenue, having already committed substantial funds for that purpose.

For many, the celebration became a moment of renewed faith and deeper conviction in the role the Church plays in building a just, moral, and responsible society. There was a shared prayerful hope that more individuals and institutions would rise to support the Church in her noble mission of forming men who will positively transform society.

Congratulations to St. Paul’s Seminary, Ukpor.
Congratulations to the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi.
Congratulations to Anambra State.
And congratulations to society at large, as it eagerly awaits these well-formed and promising individuals who are being solidly prepared for the future.

17/01/2026

The Diocese of Nnewi, today, stood in prayerful solidarity with the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, as he committed his beloved mother, Late Mrs. Angela Ezeogu, to eternal rest.

The funeral Mass, held at Christ the King Parish, Umuezeawala Village, Ihiala, was attended by a large gathering of priests, religious sisters, and faithful, reflecting the deep bonds of communion within the Diocese.

The Bishop of Nnewi presided over the Eucharistic celebration, offering prayers of consolation and hope rooted in the promise of the resurrection.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the Diocese, led by the Vicar General, Monsignor Patrick Ezeobata, formally expressed its sympathy by presenting a token of support to the bereaved family, reaffirming the Church’s closeness to them in this moment of loss.

17/01/2026

January 11, 2026 — pastoral visit to St. Mary Mother of God parish Akwaihedi.

The aura of the dedication of the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral Nnewi seem to have overtaken the notification of history made in Akwaihedi.

On that blessed Sunday, the Bishop paid a pastoral visit to St. Mary Mother of God Parish, Akwaihedi.
Grace was loud in the building. During the Eucharistic Celebration as over one hundred candidates were sealed with the Sacrament of Confirmation, raising soldiers for Christ.

After Mass, the Bishop blessed the newly built CWO Secretariat and the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel. These projects were the fruit of collective sacrifice, powered by the parishioners and supported generously by friends from across the state and the country.

The Bishop and special guests were welcomed with joyful, energetic dances by the CMO and CWO, because when the Church celebrates, it celebrates with the whole body, feet included.

It wasn’t just an event.
It was a testimony.

Congratulations to the people of Akwaihedi for the faith renewed.
Congratulations to the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi.
Congratulations to the parishioners and friends.

God bless you all.

15/01/2026

THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

On the Dedication of Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi

With hearts full of gratitude, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi lifts its voice in thanksgiving to Almighty God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, for the successful dedication of Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi; the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream.

We profoundly thank all our friends, benefactors, families, and well-wishers who prayed with us and supported this sacred project in diverse ways; both those still with us on this earthly pilgrimage and those who have gone before us to eternal rest. Your Christian charity and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

For six months, the Diocese journeyed in prayer and fasting, entrusting this work entirely to God. He heard our prayers and crowned our efforts with peace. Throughout the period of construction and up to the day of dedication, we recorded no loss of life, no bodily harm to any labourer, no emergency situation, and no accident involving materials or machinery. We also witnessed God’s protecting hand in the absence of fire incidents or any form of disaster.

On the day of the dedication itself, despite the large turnout and the presence of security personnel, there was no case of accidental discharge of ammunition, no stampede, no theft of vehicles or motorcycles, and no missing child. Truly, the Lord watched over His people.

We are especially grateful to the Bishops who honoured us with their presence. Their experience of our Diocese, our people, and our hospitality was deeply appreciated, and we rejoice that Nnewi Diocese left them with lasting and joyful memories.

We extend heartfelt appreciation to all who followed the dedication online, joining us from near and far. Though we were unable to subsidize data costs, many generously burned their data simply to be present with us in spirit, praying along and sharing in the joy of the moment. Your commitment did not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful.

We also sincerely thank those who travelled from far and wide, often at great personal cost, without counting the expense of the journey, simply to stand with the Diocese on this historic day. May God, who sees every sacrifice made in love, reward you abundantly.

To all who came physically, we thank you for honouring our invitation. To those who could not be present, we thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We pray that the graces of this dedication will reach you wherever you are. For those who were absent, we invite you to relive the moments through our photo gallery, which captures the beauty and solemnity of the event.

We invoke God’s abundant blessings upon:

The Bishops of Nigeria

The Catholic Church in Nigeria

All Bishops, Priests, and Religious men and women who participated

The Laity Councils from different parts of the country

Our vibrant youth, whose perseverance continues to strengthen the Church

Our children, that they may grow in values worthy of admiration and service

Once again, we say thank you for your prayers, your support, and your love.

May God bless you all.
May God bless us all.
May God bless the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi.

14/01/2026

The solemn dedication of Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral Nnewi

14/01/2026

The solemn dedication of our Lady of Assumption Nnewi Cathedral