The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., as the Auxiliary Bishop of the sede vacante of the Diocese of Ahiara (Nigeria)
By Emma Ogbuehi
There are indications that the crisis rocking Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise, Imo State, may be on its way out, following reports of appointment of an Auxiliary Bishop to shepherd it.
A post shared on a Catholic Affairs Facebook page on Saturday, said Most Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, was named as the Auxiliary Bishop.
It read: “The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., as the Auxiliary Bishop of the sede vacante of the Diocese of Ahiara (Nigeria), also assigning him the titular See of Rusgunie.
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H.E. Mgr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., was born on 25th March 1960 in Eziama Oparanadim Ekwereazu, in the Diocese of Ahiara. After joining the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), he undertook studies in Philosophy at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nedeke, and later in Theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu. He made his Perpetual Profession on 11 September 1988 and was ordained a priest on 21 July 1990 for his Congregation.
He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in Enugu, a Licentiate in Missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the National Open University of Nigeria.
He has held the following positions: Parish Priest at St. Anthony’s in Igbo-Ora (1990-1992); Bursar at Claretian Theology in Enugu (1992-1997); Director of the Spirituality Department at Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nedeke (1999-2000); Professor at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu (2000-2009); Prefect of Apostolate at the Claretian Provincial Curia in New Owerri (2005-2010); Parish Priest at St. Paul’s in Nekede (2006-2010); and Pastor at St. Paul’s in Enugu (2006-2010). Paul in Nekede (2006-2010); Provincial of the Eastern Province of Nigeria of the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (2010-2022).
Ahiara Diocese has been without a substantive Bishop following the rejection of now Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, who was appointed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on December 7, 2012.
Opposition from certain members of the clergy within the diocese prevented Okpaleke from assuming the position.
Okpaleke, who was later elevated to the position of Cardinal, was on March 5, 2020 appointed to be in charge of the newly created Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia in his home state of Anambra.