Pope Francis Creates Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Appoints Bishop Isizoh 1st Bishop
Pope Francis, Head of the Roman Catholic Church has announced the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri in Anambra State Nigeria.
The Pontiff also appointed Bishop Denis Isizohaa the first Bishop of the new Diocese.
The creation of the Diocese and appointment of the Bishop was made public by the Holy See Press office on Sunday, February 12.
The Diocese of Aguleri was carved out of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, making it suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Onitsha.
Aguleri Diocese brings the Catholic Diocese in Anambra to six including the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Diocese of Awka, Diocese of Nnewi, Diocese of Ihiala and Diocese of Ekwulobia.
The Diocese of Aguleri with the Bishop Seat at St Joseph Catholic Church, Aguleri would serve four Local Government Areas: Anambra West, Anambra East, Oyi and Ayamelum.
Msgr. Denis Chidi Isizoh, until his appointment, served as Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha and Titular Bishop of Legia.
Born in 1956 in Ogbunike in the Archdiocese of Onitsha, the Bishop was enrolled for his Philosophy studies at Bigard Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene from 1976 to 1980 and for his Theology studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu from 1982 to 1985.
He was ordained a priest on 28 September 1985 for the Archdiocese of Onitsha and was consecrated a Bishop on May 1, 2015.
As a priest, the bishop served in different capacities, including Parish Vicar, Chaplain for Schools, and formator at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha. And official Pontifical Council for interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City ( 1995 – 2015), among other Priestly responsibilities.
Bishop Denis had his Licentiate at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome between 1989 and 1993.
