Catholic Church in Nigeria

Type| National polity
Classification| Catholic
Governance| Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria
Pope| Pope Francis
President| Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji
Region| Nigeria
Language| English, Latin
Members| 35.0 million (2024)[1]
Official website| Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria[usurped]

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The Catholic Church in Nigeria is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, the curia in Rome, and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

In 2022, the president of the CBCN is Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese.[2] He followed on from the previous president, Augustine Obiora Akubeze.[3][4]

## Overview

[edit]

The Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches comprise the world's largest Christian Church and the largest religious grouping globally. In 2005, there were an estimated 19 million baptised Catholics in Nigeria.[5] In 2010, the Catholic population accounted for approximately 12.6% of the population,[6] 70% of which can be found in Southeast Nigeria.[citation needed]

Historically, the Holy Ghost Fathers maintained a strong presence in Igboland in today's Southeastern Nigeria, whereas the White Fathers operated in Western and Northern Nigeria, and the Society of African Missions in Lagos.[7]

Nigeria, together with Congo Democratic Republic, boasts of the highest number of priests in Africa. The boom in vocation to the priesthood in Nigeria is mainly in the Southeastern part, especially among the Igbo ethnic group, of which the first evangelizers were Holy Ghost Fathers.[7]

The second papal visit to the country in 1998 witnessed the beatification of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi.[8] Pope John Paul II proclaimed him blessed at Oba, Onitsha Archdiocese, a local Church established by the apostle of eastern Nigerian, Bishop Joseph Shanahan, CSSp.

The official patron saints of Nigeria are Mary, Queen of Nigeria, and Patrick of Ireland.[9]

Map of Nigeria

## Demographics

[edit]

Christianity was followed by an estimated 46.18% of the Nigerian population in 2020; one-quarter of Christians in Nigeria are Catholic (12.39% of the country's population).[10]

In the same year, over 9,500 priests and 6,500 nuns served over 4,000 parishes.[11]

## List of dioceses

[edit]

Archdioceses | 9

|

Suffragan Dioceses | 59
Apostolic Vicariates | 2
Parishes | 1,905 (2004)
Diocesan Priests | 3,452
Religious Priests | 694
♦Total Priests | 4,146 (2004)
Religious Women | 3,674
Major seminaries in Nigeria | 6
Major seminarians |
Minor seminaries in Nigeria | 20
Minor seminarians |
♦Total seminarians | 3,755 (2004)
Educational institutes | 4,163
Charitable institutes | 1,202
References | Italian page for 2004[12]

Main article: List of Catholic dioceses in Nigeria

Within Nigeria the hierarchy consists of:

* Archbishopric
* Bishopric

* Abuja (Cardinal Archbishop)
* Gboko
* Idah
* Katsina-Ala
* Lafia
* Lokoja
* Makurdi
* Otukpo
* Benin City
* Auchi
* Bomadi
* Issele-Uku
* Uromi
* Warri

* Calabar
* Ikot Ekpene
* Ogoja
* Port Harcourt
* Uyo
* Ibadan
* Ekiti
* Ilorin
* Ondo
* Osogbo
* Oyo

* Jos
* Bauchi
* Jalingo
* Maiduguri
* Pankshin
* Shendam
* Yola
* Kaduna
* Kafanchan
* Kano
* Kontagora
* Minna
* Sokoto
* Zaria

* Lagos (Cardinal Archbishop)
* Abeokuta
* Ijebu-Ode
* Onitsha
* Abakaliki
* Aguleri
* Awgu
* Awka
* Ekwulobia

( Cardinal Bishop)

*     * Enugu
* Nnewi
* Nsukka

* Owerri
* Aba
* Ahiara
* Okigwe
* Orlu
* Umuahia

|
|
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Immediately subject to the Holy See:

* Maronite Catholic Eparchy of the Annunciation

## Episcopal conference

[edit]

Main article: Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria is the Nigerian episcopal conference. Its current President is Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.

## Catholic traditionalism

[edit]

A more traditionalist subset of the Catholic Church is also present in Nigeria and embodied by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (Nne Enyemaka Shrine,[13] Umuaka). There also exists a community of the irregular status Society of St. Pius X (Saint Michael's Priory,[14][15] Enugu).

## Catholic universities in Nigeria

[edit]

* Caritas University, Amorji-Nike
* Spiritan University, Nneochi.
* Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu
* Madonna University (Ihiala), Okija
* Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology, Enugu
* VUNA, Veritas University Abuja (The Catholic University of Nigeria), Abuja[16]
* Augustine University Ilara
* Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos[17]

Dominican University , Ibadan

## Major seminaries in Nigeria

[edit]

* Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
* Seminary of All Saints, Uhiele Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
* Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu
* St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi
* St. Augustine's Major Seminary, Jos
* National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul, Gwagwalada[permanent dead link‍]
* St Joseph Major Seminary Ikot Ekpene
* Blessed Tansi Major Seminary Onitsha, Anambra State
* St Albert The Great Major Seminary Abeokuta
* St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Seminary, Ekpoma
* Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary, Owerri
* Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary, Umuahia Campus
* JohnPaul II Major Seminary, Awka
* Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna
* Claretian Institute of Philosophy, Nekede Owerri
* Spiritan Institute of Theology Attakwu Enugu
* Spiritan Institute of Philosophy, Isienu Nsukka
* Don Bosco Institute of Philosophy[18] Affiliated to Salesian Pontifical University (Rome)
* Dominican Institute[19]

## Minor seminaries in Nigeria

[edit]

* St Augustine's seminary, Amechi Ezzamgbo, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
* Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, Ihiala, Anambra State. (Spiritans)
* Queen of Apostles Seminary, Afaha Obong, Abak, Akwa Ibom State
* Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mfamosing, Cross River State
* St John Vianney Minor Seminary, Barkin-Ladi, Plateau State
* St James' Junior Seminary, Yandev Gboko
* St Jude's Minor Seminary, Kuje Abuja
* St Theresa's Minor Seminary Oke-Are Ibadan
* Sacred Hearts Minor Seminary Akure
* St Clement's Minor Seminary, Adankolo-Lokoja, Kogi State
* St Paul's Seminary Ukpor, Nnewi Anambra State
* All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha Anambra State
* St Joseph's Seminary Special Science School, Awka-Etiti Anambra State.
* Mercy Seminary, Bende Abia State
* Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ahiaeke Umuahia, Abia State
* St Dominic Savio Seminary, Akpu, Anambra State
* St John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha, Anambra State
* Holy Martyrs of Uganda seminary Effurun, Delta State
* Annunciation Seminary Amaudara, Abia State
* St John-cross minor seminary, Isienu-Nsukka, Enugu state
* St Charles Borromeo seminary, Imiringi, Bayelsa State.
* St Mary's Seminary Umuowa, Orlu, Imo State.
* Bonus Pastor Seminary Osina, Ideato North, Imo State.
* Assumpta Minor Seminary, Owerri Archdiocese.
* Mater Ecclesiae Seminary, Nguru Mbaise, Ahiara Diocese
* St Peter Claver's Seminary Okpala Owerri Archdiocese
* Pope John Paul II Seminary Yala Okpoma Ogoja Diocese
* St Peter's Seminary Ogii, Okigwe Diocese
* Sacred Heart Seminary, Rumuebiekwe Port Hacourt, Port hacourt Diocese
* St Felix Seminary Ejeme-Anigor, Delta State
* St Joseph Seminary Basawa, Zaria, Kaduna State.
* St Charles Borromeo Minor Seminary, Madakiya Kaduna State
* St Peter's Minor Seminary, Katari Kaduna State
* St Peter's Minor Seminary, Yola Adamawa State
* St Joseph's Minor Seminary, Shuwa Adamawa State
* Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Jauro Yinu Taraba State
* St Paul Minor Seminary, Benin City, Edo State

## Nigerians who have been canonized or beatified

[edit]

* Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, from Anambra State Beatified by Pope John Paul II, 22 March 1998[20]

## Catholic religious congregations founded in Nigeria

[edit]

* Daughters of Divine Love[21]
* New Evangelization Sisters of Mother of Perpetual Help)
* Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy Congregation
* Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy Congregation
* Holy Family Sisters of the Needy
* Missionary Sisters of Divine Mercy, Nnewi, Nigeria
* Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, Ikeja, Lagos-State.
* Sisters of Jesus Crucified, Uratta, Owerri, Imo State
* Missionary sister of Jesus and Mary, Warri

## Missionary societies active in Nigeria

[edit]

* Society of African Missions
* The Spiritans (Congregation of the Holy Spirit, C.S.Sp.)
* The Augustinians (Order of Saint Augustine, O.S.A.)
* Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles
* St. Louis Sisters
* Salesians of Don Bosco Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)]
* Missionaries of Africa
* Pontifical Mission Societies of Nigeria (PMS Nigeria)
* Aid to the Church in Need
* Missionary Society of St. Paul
* Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
* Order of Discalced Carmelites
* The Franciscans
* Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
* The Cleratian Missionary Fathers
* The Oblates Of St Joseph
* The Redemptorists
* Vocationists The Society of Divine Vocations
* Daughters of St Paul
* (Missionary Sisters of Divine Mercy P. O. Box 611 Nnewi Nigeria. Cell: +2348033802674)
* Oblates of the Virgin Mary
* Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

## See also

[edit]

* List of Catholic dioceses in Nigeria This page also gives quick access to many internet links to official websites of the Nigerian dioceses.
* List of cathedrals in Nigeria
* List of saints from Africa
* Religion in Nigeria
* Christianity in Nigeria

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Table: Christian Population in Numbers by Country | Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project". Features.pewforum.org. 19 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
2. ^ Association of Catholic Information in Africa website, article dated 3/9/22
3. ^ "Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)". www.cbcn-ng.org. Archived from the original on 21 May 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
4. ^ Olowolagba, Fikayo (22 February 2018). "Catholic bishops elect new president". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
5. ^ Craig Timberg, "Nigeria's Spiritual Rainmaker is Eyed at Vatican," Washington Poet, 17 April 2005, A1
6. ^ Pew Research Center: Christian Population as Percentages of total population by country 2010 https://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/table-christian-population-as-percentages-of-total-population-by-country/
7. ^ a b Ebuziem, Cajetan E. (2011). Doing Ministry in the Igbo Context: Towards an Emerging Model and Method for the Church in Africa. Peter Lang. p. 8\. ISBN 978-1-4331-1154-9.
8. ^ "Blessed Iwene Tansi: The patron saint of Nigeria's democracy @20". TheCable. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
9. ^ "Patron Saints: N - Saints & Angels". Catholic Online. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
10. ^ World Religions Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
11. ^ Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08
12. ^ Italian WikiPage Chiesa Cattolica in Nigeria statistics from 2004 it:Chiesa cattolica in Nigeria
13. ^ "FSSP in Nigeria". www.fsspnigeria.org. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
14. ^ "District of Great Britain". District of Great Britain. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
15. ^ "First priory in Nigeria opened". Archived from the original on 16 April 2013.
16. ^ "Veritas University Abuja". www.veritas.edu.ng. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
17. ^ "Welcome to Pan-Atlantic University". Retrieved 9 April 2019.
18. ^ "DON BOSCO INSTITUTE OF PHILOSOPHY, IBADAN - Lumen et Sapientia". Retrieved 9 April 2019.
19. ^ "Welcome". Dominican Institute. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
20. ^ "Untitled Document". www.afrikaworld.net. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
21. ^ "Daughters of Divine Love (DDL) website". Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria[usurped]
* Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria[usurped]
* Catholic News Service of Nigeria
* GCatholic.org Information
* Catholic Hierarchy Alphabetical list of Nigeria dioceses
* Catholic-Hierarchy Nigeria Statistical Table by Diocese\
* Catholic C.H.E.S.S. Project (Catholic Home, Education and Social Support)
* "Agencia Fides" Information Service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927

* v
* t
* e

Christianity in Nigeria

Christian Groups|

| Protestant|

* Church of Nigeria
* Christ Holy Church International
* Evangelical Church Winning All
* Living Faith Church Worldwide
* Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
* Nigerian Baptist Convention
* Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
* Redeemed Christian Church of God
* Synagogue Church of All Nations
* Word of Life Bible Church

|

Roman Catholic|

* Catholic Church in Nigeria
* Holy Ghost Fathers
* Society of African Missions
* White Fathers

Other|

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria

Foreign Missionaries|

* Samuel Bill
* Mary Slessor

Nigerian Christians|

* Enoch Adeboye
* Samuel Ajayi Crowther
* T. B. Joshua
* Ogbu Kalu
* Mgbeke George Okore
* David Oyedepo

Interdenominational
organisations|

* Christian Association of Nigeria

Seminaries|

* ECWA Theological Seminary
* Theological College of Northern Nigeria

* v
* t
* e

Catholic Church in Africa

Sovereign states|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* The Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Mauritius
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

States with limited
recognition

* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
* Somaliland

Dependencies and
other territories

* Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla (Spain)
* Madeira (Portugal)
* Mayotte / Réunion (France)
* Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)
* Western Sahara

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