Diocese of Warri
| Diocese of Warri Dioecesis Varriensis | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Territory | southern portion of Delta State |
| Ecclesiastical province | Benin City |
| Metropolitan | Benin City |
| Coordinates | 5°31′00″N 5°45′00″E / 5.51667°N 5.75000°E |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 11,000 km2 (4,200 sq mi) |
| Population Total Catholics |
(as of 2022) 4,294,530 321,530 (7.5%) |
| Parishes | 162 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | March 10, 1964 |
| Cathedral | Sacred Heart Cathedral in Warri |
| Secular priests | 197 |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Leo XIV |
| Bishop | Anthony Ovayero Ewherido |
| Map | |
| |
Diocese of Warri — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Warri (Latin: Varrien(sis)) is a diocese of the Latin Rite located in the city of Warri in the ecclesiastical province of Benin City in Nigeria.
History
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Warri, located in Delta State, Nigeria, was erected on 10 March 1964 by Pope Paul VI.[1][2] It was carved out from the then-Diocese of Benin City (now the Archdiocese of Benin City), and initially comprised eight parishes: Warri, Aragba, Ashaka, Sapele, Okpara Inland, Ozoro, Ughelli, and Bomadi.[1]
The first bishop of Warri was Lucas Olu Chukwuka Nwaezeapu, who served from 10 March 1964 until 10 September 1983. After a period of vacancy, Bishop Edmund Joseph Fitzgibbon, S.P.S., was appointed on 31 August 1991 and served until 3 March 1997. He was succeeded by Bishop Richard Anthony Burke, S.P.S., who led the diocese until his appointment as Archbishop of Benin City on 24 December 2007. Bishop John 'Oke Afareha succeeded him on 29 March 2010 and served until his retirement on 18 April 2022. The current bishop, Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, was appointed on 28 December 2022 and consecrated on 9 February 2023.[3]
The diocese's principal church is the Sacred Heart Cathedral, located along Warri–Sapele Road in the Agbasa area of Warri.[4]
As of 2025, the diocese comprises seven deaneries and 91 parishes or chaplaincies, ministering to a Catholic population of approximately 106,298 faithful. The diocese also oversees 30 schools and 8 health institutions.[5]
Bishops of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Warri
The Diocese of Warri has been led by several bishops since its establishment. Below is a list of the bishops, including the current leadership:
Current Bishop
- Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido
Appointed by Pope Francis on 28 December 2022 and installed on 9 February 2023.[6]
Previous Bishops
- Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha; served from 29 March 2010 until his retirement on 18 April 2022.
- Most Rev. Richard Anthony Burke, S.P.S.; served from 3 March 1997 to 24 December 2007.
- Most Rev. Edmund Joseph Fitzgibbon, S.P.S.; served from 31 August 1991 to 3 March 1997.
- Most Rev. Lucas Olu Chukwuka Nwaezeapu; served from 10 March 1964 to 10 September 1983.
See also
- Roman Catholicism in Nigeria
- Society of African Missions
- Saint Patrick's Society for the Foreign Missions
Further reading
- Fr. James Joseph Higgins, SMA, documents this historical evolution in his detailed monograph Kindling the Fire: SMA Missions in Mid-West Nigeria, 1884–2003, which traces the growth of the Church, its challenges, and its path toward local leadership and indigenisation.[7]
Canonical status and jurisdiction
Roman Catholic Diocese of Warri is a diocese of the catholic church of the Catholic Church.[8]
External links
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 Brief History of the Catholic Diocese of Warri. Catholic Diocese of Warri. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- Back to citation Fr James Higgins SMA (15 August 2006). "History of the Church in Mid-West Nigeria". Society of African Missions. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- Back to citation The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Warri: Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido. Catholic Diocese of Warri. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- Back to citation Warri Deanery. Catholic Diocese of Warri. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- Back to citation Diocesan Statistics. Catholic Diocese of Warri. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- Back to citation "About the Bishop". Roman Catholic Diocese of Warri. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- Back to citation Higgins, James Joseph (2003). Kindling the Fire: SMA Missions in Mid-West Nigeria, 1884–2003. Ibadan: Society of African Missions.
- Back to citation Roman Catholic Diocese of Warri, official website