Pope Francis has appointed an Auxiliary Bishop, Rev. Mgr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, for the Diocese of Ahiara in Imo State.
Nwobi will hold the titular See of Rusgunie.
A post on verified Catholic Affairs Facebook page on Saturday, reads “The Holy Father has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Of the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Ahiara (Nigeria) the Most Rev Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F, assigning him the titular See Of Rusgunie”
This appointment comes after a period during which the Diocese of Ahiara was without a substantive Bishop.
The initial appointee, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, nominated by Pope Benedict XVI on December 7, 2012, faced opposition from certain members of the clergy within the Diocese, preventing him from taking up the position.
Cardinal Okpaleke was later appointed to lead the newly created Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia in Anambra.
The appointment of Most Rev. Fr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi is a significant step in filling this episcopal role.
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 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 the Claretian Theology of Enugu (1992-1997); Director of the Department of Spirituality at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nedeke (1999-2000); Professor at the Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu (2000-2009); Prefect of the Apostolate at the Claretian Provincial Curia of New Owerri (2005-2010); Parish priest at St. Paul’s in Nekede (2006-2010); Provincial of the Eastern Province of Nigeria of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (2010-2022).
