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About
Mission Overview
The Owerri Archdiocese USA Mission is a community of Catholic priests from the Archdiocese of Owerri, located in Imo State, Nigeria, who have been called to serve in various dioceses across the United States. As missionary priests, we bring with us the rich spiritual heritage, strong faith, and pastoral tradition of our archdiocese while answering the call to minister far from home.
Our mission exists to support the spiritual needs of the faithful, strengthen the fraternal bond among our priests in the diaspora, and remain connected to the vision and values of the Roman Catholic Church. Through our service in parishes across the U.S., we celebrate the sacraments, preach the Gospel, and build communities rooted in Christ.
The USA Mission also serves as a vital link between our priests abroad and the Church in Nigeria, particularly through continued collaboration with institutions such as Maria Assumpta University, Seat of Wisdom Seminary, and Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku. These institutions reflect the Archdiocese’s commitment to education, formation, healthcare, and holistic evangelization.
With humility and dedication, we embrace our role in the universal Church — called to proclaim Christ, serve God’s people, and remain faithful to the mission entrusted to us by our Archbishop and USA Bishops with, our spiritual home in Owerri.
History of the Archdiocese
The Roots of the Archdiocese
The Catholic presence in Owerri has a rich history that began in the mid-1900s with Irish missionaries who first landed in Onitsha—now the Archdiocese of Onitsha.
What is today the Archdiocese of Owerri began as the Vicariate Apostolic of Owerri in 1948, carved out of the former Onitsha-Owerri Vicariate to serve the growing community of the faithful.
In 1950, it was elevated to the status of a diocese, marking the formal establishment of the Diocese of Owerri under the leadership of Bishop Joseph Brendan Whelan, C.S.Sp., who shepherded the young diocese until 1970.
Foundations of Leadership
Bishop Whelan was succeeded by the first indigenous prelate, Bishop Mark Onwuha Unegbu, who led the diocese from 1970 until his retirement in 1993.
During his tenure, Bishop Unegbu nurtured local vocations and laid a strong foundation for the Church in this region of Nigeria, helping the Church grow from its missionary roots to a more locally led and sustained institution.
The Rise of the Archdiocese
On March 26, 1994, the Diocese of Owerri was elevated to a Metropolitan Archdiocese.
Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, who had been appointed Bishop of Owerri in 1993, became the first Archbishop of the newly created Owerri Ecclesiastical Province.
Archbishop Obinna served with distinction for nearly three decades, fostering evangelization, education, and social outreach throughout the province.
Upon his retirement, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri on March 6, 2022. He was solemnly installed at Maria Assumpta Cathedral on June 23, 2022, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Archdiocese’s leadership.
Missionary and Global Spirit
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Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, born in Naze, was ordained a priest in 1977 and later appointed Bishop of Umuahia in 1990. He also served as Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara in 2018. His decades of pastoral leadership have prepared him to lead the Archdiocese of Owerri with vision and strength.
From its early years, the Archdiocese has been marked by a deep missionary spirit, inspired by the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) who first evangelized Igboland. That legacy continues today, with over 65 diocesan priests from Owerri now serving abroad, including in the United States, carrying the Gospel to communities around the world.
Most Reverend
Lucius Iwejuru Ugori
Archbishop of Owerri Metropolitan
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji was born in Naze, within the metropolitan area of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. He was ordained a priest on April 16, 1977, for the Diocese of Umuahia and has served the Church for decades.
On April 2, 1990, he was appointed Bishop of Umuahia by Pope John Paul II and consecrated on July 1, 1990. He became known for his pastoral care, moral leadership, and dedication to education and evangelization.
In February 2018, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ahiara, where he gave steady leadership and spiritual guidance during a time of pastoral transition, restoring unity and healing.
On March 6, 2022, Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri, succeeding Archbishop Anthony J.V. Obinna. He was installed at Maria Assumpta Cathedral on June 23, 2022.
With strong community roots and decades of episcopal experience, Archbishop Ugorji leads with wisdom, humility, and a missionary spirit.
Explore Our Other Archdiocesan Missions
Holy Rosary Hospital Home Mission
At Emekukuku Hospital, our mission is rooted in compassion, service, and faith. Since 1919, when Irish missionaries and the Holy Rosary Sisters helped establish this hospital under the guidance of the Catholic Church in Owerri, we have remained committed to saving lives—especially in rural communities. Despite limited resources and little government support, we continue to serve with unwavering dedication. Guided by the love of Christ, we strive to provide affordable care, life-saving treatments, and hope to those in need. Our mission today is to transform this hospital into a well-equipped facility, offering more advanced care to all, regardless of status or wealth. With every step forward, we seek partners and support to help us bring healing and dignity to our people.
Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri
At Seat of Wisdom Seminary, our mission is to form faithful, educated, and spiritually grounded priests for the Church in Nigeria and beyond. Founded to meet the growing demand for vocations, the seminary now welcomes over 600 seminarians each year—making it one of the largest in the country. Rooted in prayer, discipline, and academic rigor, our formation combines philosophy, theology, and pastoral training. Yet maintaining this vital institution is costly, and providing for so many future priests requires continued support. With every vocation nurtured here, we strengthen the Church’s future. We invite you to partner with us in shaping holy, humble, and wise shepherds for generations to come.
Holy Rosary Hospital
Home Mission
At Seat of Wisdom Seminary, our mission is to form faithful, educated, and spiritually grounded priests for the Church in Nigeria and beyond. Founded to meet the growing demand for vocations, the seminary now welcomes over 600 seminarians each year—making it one of the largest in the country. Rooted in prayer, discipline, and academic rigor, our formation combines philosophy, theology, and pastoral training. Yet maintaining this vital institution is costly, and providing for so many future priests requires continued support. With every vocation nurtured here, we strengthen the Church’s future. We invite you to partner with us in shaping holy, humble, and wise shepherds for generations to come.
Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri
At Seat of Wisdom Seminary, our mission is to form faithful, educated, and spiritually grounded priests for the Church in Nigeria and beyond. Founded to meet the growing demand for vocations, the seminary now welcomes over 600 seminarians each year—making it one of the largest in the country. Rooted in prayer, discipline, and academic rigor, our formation combines philosophy, theology, and pastoral training. Yet maintaining this vital institution is costly, and providing for so many future priests requires continued support. With every vocation nurtured here, we strengthen the Church’s future. We invite you to partner with us in shaping holy, humble, and wise shepherds for generations to come.
Maria Assumpta Univeristy
At Maria Assumpta University, our mission is to transform education in Nigeria through faith, excellence, and opportunity. Inspired by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji—a former professor who saw the gaps in Nigeria’s public education—we aim to offer hands-on, high-quality learning for all, regardless of background or belief. From medicine to agriculture, law to technology, our programs are designed to equip students with real-world skills, not just theory. Though the Church owns the land and accreditation is secured, the cost of infrastructure remains a challenge. With help from mission partners and faithful supporters, we are building a university that offers hope, dignity, and a future to Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.
Maria Assumpta Univeristy
At Maria Assumpta University, our mission is to transform education in Nigeria through faith, excellence, and opportunity. Inspired by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji—a former professor who saw the gaps in Nigeria’s public education—we aim to offer hands-on, high-quality learning for all, regardless of background or belief. From medicine to agriculture, law to technology, our programs are designed to equip students with real-world skills, not just theory. Though the Church owns the land and accreditation is secured, the cost of infrastructure remains a challenge. With help from mission partners and faithful supporters, we are building a university that offers hope, dignity, and a future to Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.
Support
Our Mission
Every gift helps our priests bring Christ’s love to the communities they serve across the U.S.
* Learn where your gift goes →
Support
Our Mission
Every gift helps our priests bring Christ’s love to the communities they serve across the U.S.
* Learn where your gift goes →