CATHOLIC DIOCESE

OF AGULERI

CATHOLIC DIOCESE

OF AGULERI

Profile of Bishop Denis Isizoh

Most Rev. Denis Chidi Isizoh is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri.

 

Birth

  • Date: Tuesday, January 24, 1956 (Eke Day)
  • Place: Osile Ogbunike, Anambra State, Nigeria
  • Parents: Anthony and Theresa Isizoh
  • Baptism: Sunday, March 4, 1956, by Fr. Thomas Sweeney, C.S.Sp.
  • Confirmation: Tuesday, August 10, 1965, by Archbishop Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp.
  • Diaconate Ordination: Sunday, December 23, 1984, by Archbishop Francis Arinze
  • Priestly Ordination: Saturday, September 28, 1985, by Archbishop Stephen Ezeanya
  • Episcopal Nomination: Friday, February 6, 2015, by Pope Francis (Titular Bishop of Legia, Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha)
  • Episcopal Consecration: Friday, May 1, 2015, by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze
  • Installation as Bishop of Aguleri: Friday, March 17, 2023, by Papal Nuncio Antonio G. Filipazzi, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Aguleri

 

Educational Journey

Primary Education

  • 1962–1963: St. Raphael’s Catholic Primary School, Awkuzu, Nigeria
  • 1964–1968, 1970: St. Vincent’s Catholic Primary School, Ogbunike, Nigeria

Secondary and Seminary Education

  • 1971–1975: All Hallows’ Seminary, Onitsha, Nigeria
  • 1976–1980: Bigard Memorial Seminary (Philosophy Campus), Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria
    • Degree: Bachelor of Philosophy
  • 1981–1985: Bigard Memorial Seminary (Theology Faculty), Enugu, Nigeria
    • Degree: Bachelor of Theology

Advanced Studies

  • 1989: Università per gli Stranieri, Perugia, Italy
    • Qualification: Diploma in Italian Language
  • 1989–1993: Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, Italy
    • Qualification: Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures
  • 1990: Zentrum für Internationale Bildung und Kulturaustausch, Kreuzberg-Bonn, Germany
    • Qualification: Diploma in German Language
  • 1992: Institute Catholique de Paris/Alliance Française de Paris, France
    • Qualification: Diploma in French Language
  • 1994–1996: Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy
    • Qualification: Doctorate in Biblical Theology

 

Early Pastoral Experiences in Nigeria (1985–1989)

 

  • Teacher/Formator: All Hallows’ Minor Seminary, Onitsha
  • Parish Vicar: Ss. John & Paul Parish, Awada, Onitsha (1985–1986)
  • Chaplaincies:
    • Immaculate Heart Sisters’ Novitiate, Nkpor
    • St. Scholastica Benedictine Monastery, Umuoji
    • Boys’ High School, Onitsha (1985–1988)
    • Girls’ High School, 4th Mile, Onitsha (1985–1988)
    • St. Monica’s Teacher-Training/Secondary School, Ogbunike (1985–1988)
    • Federal Government Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha

Administrative Positions

  • 2023–Present: Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Aguleri
  • 2015–2023: Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha
  • 2018–2022: Chairman, Social Communications, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
  • 1995–2015: Official, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City
    • Role: Head of Service, Section for Non-Christian Religions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Traditional Religions Worldwide
  • 2007–2015: Vice President, Nostra Aetate Foundation – Study Grants
  • 1989–2015: Personal Secretary to Francis Cardinal Arinze

Linguistic Proficiency

  • Fluent: Igbo, English, Italian, French
  • Proficient: Latin, German

Selected Published Books

  1. The Dawn from on High: A Brief History of the Catholic Church in Ogbunike (1995)
  2. The Resurrected Jesus Preached in Athens: The Areopagus Speech (1997)
  3. The Attitude of the Catholic Church towards African Traditional Religion and Culture (Editor, 1998)
  4. Christianity in Dialogue with African Traditional Religion & Culture (Editor, 2001)
  5. Milestones in Interreligious Dialogue: A Reading of Selected Catholic Church Documents on Relations with People of Other Religions (Editor, 2002)
  6. Cardinal Arinze: Church Pathfinder of Dialogue and Communion (2012)
    1.  

Selected Published Articles

    1. “Reflecting on Tribal Values,” Pro Dialogo 99 (1998), 295–301; also in Indian Journal of Spirituality XI (1998), 123–132, and Mission: A Service of Love (1998), 193–198
    2. “A Reading of the Areopagus Speech (Acts 17:22–) from the African Traditional Religious Perspective,” African Christian Studies (1998), 1–25
    3. “Dialogue with African Traditional Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Changing Attitude of the Catholic Church,” Christianity in Dialogue with African Traditional Religion and Culture, Vol. 1 (2001), 1–42
    4. “The Challenge of Deepening Evangelization in A.M.E.C.E.A. Region: The Place of Interreligious Dialogue,” Pro Dialogo 111 (2002), 332–334
    5. “Mai più violenza in nome di Dio!,” Africa 2 (2002), 16–19
    6. “Religions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Working and Walking Together. A Christian Reflection,” Pro Dialogo 114 (2003), 354–366
    7. “Managing Conflicts in the African Context: The Role of Religious Leaders,” Dialogue on Civilizations, Religions and Cultures in West Africa (UNESCO, 2003), 29–34
    8. “‘Who Made the Drum Knows What Is Inside It.’ Interpreting Sacred Messages in African Traditional Religion,” Current Dialogue 42 (2003), 20–21
    9. “Les défis du dialogue interreligieux en Afrique: Une réflexion,” Pro Dialogo 122 (2006), 181–192
    10. “Globalisation of Cultures: Gains and Losses from an African Perspective,” Globalisierung, Kulturen, Religionen, Vol. 1 (2006), 145–151
    11. “The Church in Africa: Instrument of Dialogue and Reconciliation,” L’Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English, September 2, 2009, 8–9
    12. “Wo Götzendienst zum Segen wird: Die Afrikanische Traditionelle Religion ermöglicht auf einzigartige Weise interreligiöses Beten,” Missio Korrespondenz 2 (2010), 9–10

Selected Conference Papers

      1. “La Religiosità Africana nella Musica,” Conference on “Le vere origini e l’evoluzione della Musica Gospel,” Rome, Italy (1999)
      2. “Motivazioni della Chiesa cattolica per il dialogo con la Religione Tradizionale Africana,” University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Rome, Italy (2002)
      3. “Dialogue with Followers of African Traditional Religion: Points for Reflection,” Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Consultation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2003)
      4. “Dialogue with Followers of African Traditional Religion: Progress and Challenges,” University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa (2003)
      5. “Pathways to Peace in Africa: A Reflection from African Traditional Religious Perspective,” Parliament of World’s Religions, Barcelona, Spain (2004)
      6. “Globalization of Cultures: Gains and Losses from African Perspective,” University of Salzburg, Austria (2004)
      7. “O Significado do Diálogo Interreligioso: A Perspectiva da Igreja Católica,” X Semana Teológica Internacional de Beira, Mozambique (2005)
      8. “Les défis du dialogue interreligieux en Afrique: Une réflexion,” VIIIeme Colloque du Centre d’Etudes des Religions Traditionnelles Africaines, Kinshasa (2005)
      9. “The Meaning of Interreligious Dialogue: The Catholic Church Teaching,” Conference for Priests and Religious, Diocese of Wa, Ghana (2005)
      10. “Identity of a Catholic Youth in a Multireligious Society in Africa,” Youth Formation Workshop, Lagos, Nigeria (2007)
      11. “Principles of Interreligious Dialogue: The Teaching of the Catholic Church,” Workshop by Nigerian Conference of Women Religious, Kaduna, Nigeria (2008)
      12. “Religioni tradizionali: tra dialogo e attenzione pastorale,” Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy (2009)

We'll be happy to help!

Address

Aguleri —

St. Joseph’s Caathedral,

Ugwu Ndi Uka, Aguleri.

Facebook Youtube

Say Hello

entirelyforgod@gmail.com

CADIAG 2025

© Catholic Diocese of Aguleri 2025