Grace Thompson
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, located in Nsukka, Nigeria, has a total of 220 parishes, according to information last updated in May and June 2025. The Diocese was established in 1990 and has its cathedral, St. Theresa's Cathedral, in Nsukka, Enugu. The cathedral, which has a capacity of 5,500 people, is considered the largest in West Africa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 1990 |
| Cathedral | St. Theresa's Cathedral, Nsukka |
| Area | 3,180 km² |
| Population | 1,103,961 Catholics (69.3% of 1,593,655 total) |
| Parishes | 220 |
| Missions | 4 |
| Priests | 345 (320 diocesan, 25 religious) |
| Religious | 300 (204 brothers, 96 sisters) |
| Seminarians | 177 |
| Capacity | 5,500 |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has 220 parishes
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria, has 220 parishes, according to figures from May and June 2025. The Diocese of Nsukka is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory located in the city of Nsukka. It was established in 1990, becoming a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Onitsha.
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has a population of 1,103,961 Catholics, which is 69.3% of the total population of 1,593,655. In addition to its 220 parishes, the diocese also has 345 priests, 300 religious personnel, and 177 seminarians.
The cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka is St. Theresa's Cathedral, which is located in Nsukka, Enugu. The cathedral is said to be the biggest in West Africa, with a capacity of 5,500. The building of the cathedral was begun in 1991 by the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese, Most Rev Francis Okobo, and was completed by the incumbent Bishop, Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, in 2020, after 29 years of work.
The Nsukka Catholic Parish, which began in 1932, had 197 parishes before it became a diocese in 1990. The diocese has an area of 3,180 square kilometres and includes the territories of Aguleri, Idah, Otukpo, Gboko, Abakaliki, and Enugu.
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The cathedral is St Theresa's Cathedral
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church located in the city of Nsukka, Nigeria. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Onitsha. The Diocese of Nsukka has formed a partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Catholic Schools to provide further training and improved organisation for the diocese's school staff.
The cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka is St Theresa's Cathedral, located in Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria. St Theresa's Cathedral is the main church of the diocese and serves as the seat of the bishop. It is a place of worship, as well as a centre for administrative and pastoral activities within the diocese.
St Theresa's Cathedral is a beautiful and sacred space, often characterised by its stunning architecture and intricate design. The cathedral is a source of great pride for the local Catholic community and is well-known for its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant faith community. It is a place where people come to seek spiritual solace, to participate in liturgical celebrations, and to find opportunities for service and charity.
The cathedral offers a diverse range of ministries and programmes to cater to the spiritual needs of its parishioners. These include religious education classes, youth groups, prayer meetings, social justice initiatives, and outreach programmes to serve the vulnerable and marginalised in the community. The cathedral also plays a significant role in fostering unity and peace among people of different backgrounds, promoting the values of love and compassion taught by Saint Theresa herself.
As the heart of the diocese, St Theresa's Cathedral is closely connected to the other parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka. It serves as a central point of coordination for various diocesan activities and events, and its clergy and staff work closely with the bishop to ensure the spiritual and pastoral needs of the diocese are met.
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![Parish [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AOZM2QfYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Diocese was established in 1990
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka was established on 19 November 1990, in Nsukka, Nigeria. It was formed from the Diocese of Enugu and became suffragan of Onitsha. The diocese covers an area of 3,180 square kilometres and, as of May 2020, had a population of 1,103,961 Catholics, making up 69.3% of the total population of 1,593,655.
The Cathedral of the Diocese of Nsukka is St. Theresa's Cathedral in Nsukka, Enugu. Construction of the cathedral began in 1991, and it was completed 29 years later, in 2020. The cathedral is said to be the biggest in West Africa, with a capacity of 5,500. The building of the cathedral was funded by donations from the Catholic community and individuals, with one Sunday a year designated as Diocesan Project Support Sunday, where all proceeds went towards the project.
The first Bishop of the Diocese of Nsukka was Bishop Emeritus Most Rev Francis Okobo, who served from 1990 to 2013. The incumbent Bishop is Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, who oversaw the completion of the cathedral.
The Diocese of Nsukka is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Onitsha. It has 220 parishes and four missions, with 345 priests, 300 religious staff, and 177 seminarians.
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The cathedral is the biggest in West Africa
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka is located in the city of Nsukka, Nigeria. The cathedral, St Theresa's Cathedral, is the biggest in West Africa, with a seating capacity of 5,500. The cathedral was dedicated on Thursday, November 19, 2020, which was also the 30th anniversary of the diocese's founding in 1990. The first bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Francis O. Okobo, laid the foundation stone in 1991, and construction began soon after. However, the project faced significant challenges due to financing and architectural issues.
To address the financial challenges, Bishop Okobo implemented innovative strategies to raise funds from the Catholic community. He designated one Sunday each year as Diocesan Project Support Sunday, with all proceeds going towards the cathedral's construction. He also organised annual fundraising programmes during Easter, inviting well-to-do individuals from Nsukka to contribute. Despite these efforts, the funds raised were not sufficient to complete the project.
The construction of the cathedral was completed by the incumbent Bishop, Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, after 29 years of dedicated work. The dedication ceremony was a significant event, graced by dignitaries, including Catholic bishops, current and former governors, and representatives of other religious groups. The completion of the cathedral was a testament to the sacrifices and contributions of the Catholic community and other supporters.
St Theresa's Cathedral stands as a magnificent edifice, not only serving as a place of worship but also representing the image of Nsukka. Its dedication was a joyous occasion, with Pope Francis commending the Catholics in the Nsukka diocese for their efforts in building such a remarkable structure. The cathedral is a symbol of unity and peace, bringing together people from different religious backgrounds, including Catholics, Christians, and Muslims, who all contributed to its realisation.
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The Diocese has 345 priests
The Diocese of Nsukka, a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church, is located in the city of Nsukka, Nigeria. The diocese was established in 1990 and has 220 parishes and 4 missions.
The Diocese of Nsukka is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Onitsha. It is led by the Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah. The diocese's cathedral, St. Theresa's Cathedral, is located in Nsukka, Enugu.
The Diocese of Nsukka has a strong partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Catholic Schools in Chicago, Illinois, USA. This partnership provides further training and improved organisation for the staff of the diocese's schools. The diocese also has an innovative app that helps manage parishioners, parishes, and societies within the parish.
The Diocese of Nsukka's 345 priests play a crucial role in serving the religious needs of the large Catholic population in the diocese. They provide spiritual guidance, perform religious rituals, and lead their respective parishes. The priests also work closely with the bishop and the diocese's staff to ensure the smooth functioning of the parishes and the overall diocese.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 220 parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka.
The cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka is St. Theresa's Cathedral.
The Diocese of Nsukka became a diocese in 1990.
