His Holiness, Pope Francis has appointed the former Catholic Bishop of Umuahia and Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Lucius Ugorji, to replace the outgoing Catholic Bishop of Owerri, Anthony l Obinna.

Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi, Apostolic Nuncio (Representative of the Pope in Nigeria) made this announcement during the ongoing First Plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja.

He said Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the voluntary retirement of His Grace Most Rev. Dr Anthony Obinna as the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese.

In his place, Most Rev Dr Lucius Ugorji of Umuahia Diocese has been appointed the Archbishop of Owerri.

The respected Archbishop, His Grace, Anthony l Obinna, who has been in that position since March 26 1994, will be replaced by Most Rev Dr Ugorji who still remains the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese.

His Lordship Ugorji is replacing His Grace Obinna after the Archbishop reached 75 years. The mandatory retirement age for bishops in the Catholic Church is 75.