Six Priests Elevated to the rank of Papal Chamberlain ( Monsignori)
It came as a surprise at the meeting with the members of the curia when His Grace Most Rev Anthony J.V Obinna, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and the Archbishop of Owerri read out with joy the letter from His Holiness Pope Francis I, through the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria His Excellency Most Rev Antonio Fillipazi the elevation of six priests from the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri to the rank of Papal Chamberlain in our term ‘MONSIGNORI’, the priests include:
Very Rev Fr. Patrick Ibole
Very Rev Fr. Raymond Okorigbo
Very Rev Fr. Cyril Akalonu
Very Rev Fr. Innocent Maduakolam Osuagwu
Very Rev Fr. Alphonsus Oha
Very Rev Fr. Ralph Madu.
The news was received with prayerful thanks to God Almighty and to his servants His Holiness Pope Francis I, the Papal Nuncio and the Archbishop of Owerri: To God be the Glory!!!
The Priests elevated to the rank of Monsignori and their present assignments:
Very Rev Fr Patrick Chiedozie Ibeole.
Rev Fr Patrick Ibeole hails from Enyiogugu in Mbaise and currently serves as the Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.
Very Rev Fr Alphonsu Oha.
Rev Fr Oha hails from Avu in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, presently he serves as the Chancellor/Secretary of the Archdiocese.
Very Rev Fr Ralph Madu.
Rev Fr Ralph Madu hails from Nunya in Isiukwuato Okigwe of Imo State. He was formerly the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. After his tenure as the Secretary General CBCN he is currently Director of Projects in the Archdiocese.
Very Rev Fr Raymond Okoroigbo.
Rev Fr Raymond Okoroigbo hails from Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, presently he serves as the Judicial Vicar of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.
Very Rev Innocent Maduakolam Osuagwu.
Rev Fr Innocent M. Osuagwu hails from Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government of Imo State. He serves as the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Parish, Egbeada
Very Rev Fr Cyril Akalonu
Rev Fr Cyril Akalonu hails from Umualumaku Uzoagba in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, presently he serves as the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Owerri
To the Glory of God
The Archbishop announced that the investiture of the newly elevated priests as Monsignors has been scheduled for the 28th day of November 2020.