Mbaise Clergy Appointed For Ahiara Diocese as New Vicar

Mbaise Clergy Appointed for Ahiara Diocese as New Vicar

Rev. Fr. Louis Asiegbu, a priest of Ahiara Diocese and a Professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has been appointed as the New Vicar-General for the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise, Nigeria.

The appointment was made public by the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese His Eminence Cardinal John Onaiyekan on Saturday July 20 2013 during a Eucharistic celebration with the diocesan clergy.

In the words of the Cardinal Apostolic Administrator, he observed that “Since I am still busy with my primary assignment as Archbishop of Abuja and with many other engagements, I will not be able to spend much time in Ahiara. I need someone who can be for me and for you a point of reference. As Vicar-General, he will stand in for me in my absence from the diocese”.

A Vicar-General is a priest freely appointed by a diocesan bishop to act as his second-in-command for diocesan executive matters. He is the highest official in a diocese and he acquires his powers by virtue of his office and not by delegation. The provisions of Canon 476 distinguish between a Vicar-General and an Episcopal Vicar. While a Vicar-General is appointed for a whole diocese, an Episcopal Vicar is appointed only for a particular geographical section of a diocese or over certain specific matters. According to Canon 481, Vicars-General lose their office when the term of office expires, or when the episcopal see falls vacant.

With his latest appointment, Fr. Louis Asiegbu will see to the administration of the diocese in the absence of the Apostolic Administrator and we wish him God’s guidance in his new assignment.