Nigerian Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji (right) met with Bishop Peter Jugis at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on April 29. Also pictured is Father Bernard Oleru (left).CHARLOTTE — Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of the Archdiocese of Owerri, Nigeria, recently spent three days on a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Charlotte, where he met with local Nigerian Catholics, priests from his diocese, and diocesan leaders.
Archbishop Ugorji is the shepherd of more than 670,000 Catholics in Imo state in southwestern Nigeria. He is also president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
His first stop was April 27 to St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville, where one of his priests, Father Bernard Oleru, serves as pastor. He was greeted by about 150 Nigerian Catholics from North Carolina and other states who came to meet with him and talk about their experiences in the U.S., Father Oleru said.
Archbishop Ugorji celebrated Mass for the community during his visit and also offered the 10:30 a.m. Mass that Sunday, April 28. A special reception was held for him after the Mass, where he met with members of the parish council and representatives from the Hispanic community, Father Oleru said. He also enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Norman with St. Philip the Apostle parishioners.
Archbishop Ugorji met with Bishop Peter Jugis at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on April 29, before also meeting with eight priests of the Owerri Archdiocese who are serving in the Charlotte diocese.
The Owerri Archdiocese is one of several in Africa that are partnering with the Charlotte diocese to provide priests for growing parishes and to continue building solidarity and missionary ties with the worldwide Church.
— Christina Lee Knauss
