Pope Francis has established the Diocese of Ekwuluobia and appointed Bishop Peter Okpaleke the Bishop of the newly created Diocese.


The newly established Diocese is formed from a part of the territory of the Diocese of Awka and will be a Suffragan See of the Metropolitan See of Onitsha.


Bishop Okpaleke who is the Bishop Emeritus of Ahiara Diocese, becomes the first Bishop of Ekwuluobia Diocese.
Bishop Peter Okpaleke, a native of Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area, was born on first March, 1963.


He was ordained to the priesthood on twenty-second August 1992 and was consecrated a Bishop on twenty-first May, 2013.


The Pope also appointed new Bishops for Atlanta, USA and Kinkala, Republic of Congo, namely: Bishop Gregory Hartmayer and Father Marthurin Mouanga.


Bishop Hartmayer is serving as Bishop of Savanna while Father Mouanga is the Rector of the Theological Interdiocesan Major Seminary “Emile Biayenda” in Brazzaville before their appointments.