The Catholic Church stepped on Umunya soil in 1915, through Rev. Fr Bubendorf CSSp. From oral tradition, the history of Umunya began with a man called Nya. No mention was made of his wife, but he had children who came to be known as Umunya, that is, the children of Nya. According to one source, Nya was a boatman who ferried people across the river and his name is probably derived from this (Onye-Nya-Mmili). Another source suggests he was a great farmer and was famous for particular specie of yam (Nya-Ji) which has become extinct. But historically Umunya belongs to the Eri clan of Igboland. According to Forde and Jones, Nkwelle, Nsugbe, Nnadi, Oze, and Umunya form the Edomani clan of Eri Igbo. Neje is also believed to be part of this clan (cf. A Brief History of Umunya by E.O Onuigbo, in the Catholic Church in Umunya: A Historical survey by the CWO, St Theresa’s Church, Umunya, p. 15).
Fr. Bubendorf then, resided at Neje, with Igbariam as one of his stations, while Aguieri was his main parish headquarters. When the news about the arrival of the Catholic doctrine and gospel at Neje was heard, some men from Umunya who were interested travelled to Neje to hear from the horse’s mouth. They spent days and nights there showing their willingness and interest in the Catholic Church.
The pioneer members included: Louis Nworah, Micheal Ughanze, Samuel Okafor, Vincent Nuonyelu, Emmanuel Nwizu, George Nwabunwanne, Francis Iloanusi, Albert Udeggu, Daniel Okeke, Christopher Nwabufo, and Joseph Onwuamaeze, who all moved to Neje and worked as mission boys. They were the first catechumens and Christians of Umunya. Before this time, the Anglican Communion was the only Church that dominated everything. The Catholic Church was virtually non existent in Umunya.
Very quickly, the frequent attendances and interest on the Catholic doctrine impressed and attracted the Reverend Father so much. At their first request to the priest, to pay a visit to Umunya,their home town for establishment there,Fr. Bubendorf,told Umunya people pressuring for his visit to
Umunya to go and tell their elders and youths. In this regard, the pioneer Christians went and met Chief Nwanegbo, also Nwoye Ugo Udeama and other co-operators including Oraegbunam Obiaku and a host of others.The Catholic Missionaries were formally welcome to Umunya. The community accepted the Rev. Father’s visit. February 1915,Rev.Fr Bubendorf came first to Odumodu Ani, as a temporary site. He was welcomed with his entourage by Umunya dancing groups, accepted the site and pleaded for Umunya’s full support for the task ahead.A structure for
worship was set up immediately.
After some years at Odumodu Ani, the Christians started to ask for a larger area of land to accommodate their growing number.More converts were gladly recorded in the persons of: Albert Okeke, John Achuna, John Madakamukwe, JamesNzegwu, Richard Okoye, and Peter Obiefuna. The mat-house built for church services was no longer enough. Hence,Fr. Bubendorf met Chief Nwanegbo, Nwoye Ugo-Udeama and many others for bigger site that could accommodate more
people. Soon,the new site was allocated at Ajakpana,where St. Theresa’s Parish is today.
From 1926 to 1933, more converts were recorded in the Catholic Church, Umunya especially youths who struggled on the promotion of religion and education. It had also an extension which the Parish later leased to Umunya, through the Parish Council, for the building of African Continental Bank Pic in 1986. The patriotic and outstanding leaders included Aaron Nweke, Moses Nwakile, Benedict Nwizu and Maurice Nwakeze (who resigned from his teaching appointment at Eke) and joined his people to promote and develop Umunya both in education, religion and otherwise. All Christian rites (Baptism, Penance, Eucharist and Matrimony) were in progress in Umunya. The Church in Umunya had other pioneer Christians that included: George Ejitaka, Jonathan Okafor, Daniel Nnajofor, Edward Okonkwo, Joseph Omatu, Philip Megwalu, Julius Odugwe, Gabriel Iloamusi, Timothy Udegbunam, Benedict Nwizu, Moses Nwakile, Joseph Onwuamaeze and Richard Okoye. The first teacher/Catechist was one Mr. Fidelis, whose surname is yet to be known, who was formally posted to Umunya Station-Church. He was a native of Oguta.
The struggle with the traditional religion was a hard one (and still is), and the first mission collapsed in 1925. Those of the converts who had gained education scattered to the advantage of the local Church more or less: some becoming teachers, some joining the public service, while the rest moved to other towns to continue their education.
Between 1937 and 1939, Umunya was attached to Adazi Parish. This slowed down the Catholic faith in Umunya because of a very long distance in trekking. Sunday Masses were always in Adazi, plus First Friday Masses and devotions. Umunya sent delegations to Rev. Fr Liddane at Adazi to return Umunya to Agueri, and also to His Grace Most Rev. Dr Charles Heerey, CSSp. the Archbishop of Onitsha. The Archbishop accepted the plea and returned Umunya to Agueri, On August 4, 1934, Maurice Nwakeze, an Umunya Catholic teaching at Eke, travelled home after learning that the Church in his hometown had collapsed. He volunteered and was granted the permission by Fr. Joseph to open a school at Umunya.
For one year, he worked without pay. He worked very hard in co-operation with others towards reviving the already collapsed Church. And it bore abundant fruits, converts were made, many were baptized, there were communicants and even Christian Catholic marriages. The Church school mud-stock and raffia built at Ugwuaro came alive again. The first married Christians in Umunya Catholic Station-church were Paul Okoye, David Nwabufo, Peter Obiefuna and Christopher Nwabufo with their respective wives.
In January 1940, Umdioka became a parish with the name Dunukofia. Umunya was very happy and the Church Committee then and others started to attend Sunday Masses there. Plans started for Umunya to join which is by far nearer to the people than Aguleri. In 1941, Umunya with nine other towns joined Dunukofia Parish. The towns included: Ogbunkie (Ogbangba) and Umunya from Aguleri; Eziowelle, Abacha, Abatete, Uke, Ideani, Ogidi-Odida and Uru-Ogidi that were served from Nnewi Parish, to belong, henceforth to Dunukofia. The towns of Awkuzu, Enugu-Agidi and Nawgu came out from Adazi and joined the newly created parish.
The following pupils from Umunya station-church attended St. Anthony School, Dunukofia from 1944 to 1948: Aloysius Egwuonwu, Stephen Emesiani, Emmanuel Obiaghanwa, Celestine Olieh, Linus Anyadifu, Benedict Kogulu, Ephraim Eluemuno, Christopher Ezeagu, Pius Nwankwo and Rose Nwagba who later became Mrs Rose Ifensor (she attended the Holy Rosary convent Umudioka). In the same convent seven women from Umunya were then being prepared for marriage. They included: Mrs Cecilia Mbanefo, Mrs Sabina Anyaorah, Mrs Catherine Agbaje, Mrs Clara Igweze, Mrs Elizabeth Muogbogu, Mrs Theresa Emenogha, and Mrs Christiana Ubadike. The first women membership of the station church, the nucleus of what later became CWO were three. They included: Mrs Elizabeth Nwizu, of Blessed Memory, Mrs Anna Nwadike and Mrs Rachel Nweke. These marvelous three were at that time being taunted by the Anglicans or members of other beliefs as ‘Missisi o belu ito’ (that is, those only 3 in number). But the mustard seed later grew to the Holy Rosary convent Umudioka). In the same convent seven women from Umunya were then being prepared for marriage. They included: Mrs Cecilia Mbanefo, Mrs Sabina Anyaorah, Mrs Catherine Agbaje, Mrs Clara Igweze, Mrs Elizabeth Muogbogu, Mrs Theresa Emenogha, and Mrs Christiana Ubadike. The first women membership of the station church, the nucleus of what later became CWO were three. They included: Mrs Elizabeth Nwizu, of Blessed Memory, Mrs Anna Nwadike and Mrs Rachel Nweke. These marvelous three were at that time being taunted by the Anglicans or members of other beliefs as ‘Missisi o belu ito’ (that is, those only 3 in number). But the mustard seed later grew to a big tree to house all kinds of birds and animals to the glory of God!
The first Catholic indigenous teacher in Umunya was Sylvester Nwizu 1941-1944, followed by Patrick Anekwe, 1942-1945, Stephen Oguejiofor, 1943, Linus Anyadifu (A Nursery school teacher) later transferred to Father Joseph School. Augustine A. Chendo and Rose Nwagba (later Mrs Rose Ifensor, the first Catholic lady trained teachers in Umunya), were starting their careers, while Mr Aloysius Iloamusi remained till the 1950s, a period of great improvements in the station church.Later, many of the Umunya youths were employed as untrained teachers to help in evangelization from 1951-1964. Some of them became trained teachers later.
Following the rapid progress made by Umunya Catholics, His Grace Most Rev. Dr Charles Heerey promised to build a Monastery in Umunya. In this regard, the Church Committee and the youth negotiated the monastery building, but when the area of land shown by the Umuebo people was surveyed, it was not enough and the area was converted to a Holy Rosary School by Archbishop Heerey.
After the Nigeria-Biafran civil war, the school was renamed Aguocha Primary School Umunya (following the East Central State decree of take-over of all Mission and private Schools).
The Civil War in 1967 separated Umunya from Dunuokfia parish. The Onitsha Archdiocese then merged Umunya with Nteje Parish, headed by Rev. Fr Martin Maduka (who later became a Monsignor). He was immediately posted for this task at the eve of that war until 1970, when Umunya went back to Dunukofia Parish. Umunya later went back again to Nteje parish under Rev. Fr George Arinze, followed by Rev. Fr Joseph Ajakor and later Rev. Fr Josaphat Ezenwa.
St Theresa Umunya was created a parish in 1988, by the Most Rev. Stephen N. Ezeanya during the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, now a Saint, and Rev. Fr Joseph A. Okogba as the first parish priest. He was ushered into Umunya by the then Parish Priest of Nteje, Rev. Fr Josaphat Ezenwa, with great jubilation of all throughout Umunya.
Since inception, the following had served as parish priests of St Theresa Parish Umunya:
– Rev. Fr Joseph Okogba 1988-1995
– Rev. Fr Louis Iloka 1995-1999
– Rev. Fr Francis Igboanugo 1999-2000
– Very Rev. Fr Josephat Nzekwesi 2000-2007
– Rev. Fr Anthony Idigo 2009-2015
Meanwhile, Fr. Prof. Bonachristus Umeogu had resided in the parish as a priest in residence, teaching in the University and his Prayer Ministry has been in Umunya since 2010.
The Catechists that have served the Parish include:
– Mr Fidelis, from Oguta
– Mr Maurice Nwakaeze
– Mr Augustine Udeozor
– Mr Marcel Mbanefo (the present Catechist)
The Parish had also enviable services of some great persons in the Parish Council that included: Mr Aloysuis Iloanusi, Mr. E.C. Nwokoye, inter alia. St Theresa has had very distinguished leaders and in the 1974 created Archdiocesan statutory bodies or organizations. The all Umunya Catholic Men’s Union which became the CMO has enjoyed reputable services of such ministers or servant-leaders as Chief F. Mokwe, Mr E. Nwokoye, Isaac Nworah and late Mr Patrick Azodo. The current CMO executive of the Parish were elected 29th December 2015 now led by Mr Jerry Osegbo (KSJI) and the secretary Mr Val. Ikeanyionwu (KSJI).
The CWO leadership of the Parish had also enjoyed stable progress for some longtime. They must be remembered in history positively. Mrs Elizabeth Nwizu was the first President of CWO. When the assembly of Umunya women imposed a fine on them for non-participation in Akpu Festival, they refused. They were excommunicated. But the case was eventually settled by Rev. Fr Ajakor and Ide J.A. Mokwe in the presence of all Umunya, men and women, and the Christian women were victorious, Mrs Veronica Ughanze and her Secretary, Mrs Victoria Iloanusi, who became the CWO leader of St Theresa at the second tenure, Mrs Augustina Chika, once Secretary of CWO for home branch and eventually became the Parish CWO leader – a great and distinguished one, with the Secretary Mrs Rose Anodebe. They moved the parish forward, especially in 1995. From 2003 to 2009 it had Mrs Uche Chinweze with her executive; from 2009 to 2015 – Mrs Helen Ekensi and her executive were in leadership.
August 2015, the present leadership of the CWO Parish Executive came into play, led by Mrs Elizabeth Odugwe and her Vice, Mrs Achuna and Secretary, Mrs Josephine Nwokedi Udeozor. We hope the best from them.
The leadership of the CBO and CGO statutory bodies of the parish, now abrogated also, had very useful rewards of great impact on the life and activities of the station church and eventually as a Parish. It must be recognized the special contributions of such persons as Mr Tony Mokwe (once President) and many others and especially Mr Cyprian Oramali (President) and Mr Peter Odili (Secretary). And the Mary League of the station that worked hard under Frs. Henry Emekwue and later Fr. George Arinze and transformed into the CGO-statutory Body/Organization and with their Chaplains which include Fr Jude Okafor (Parish Priest) and late Fr John Mary Anojulu and their various matrons. They had worked hard to assist the parish and Parish Priests in doing several quality domestic jobs-keeping the Church compound, cemetery, Rectory in order and clean. History bears them out positively. Indeed, from among them, some have become professed Religious Sisters for the parish. They include Srs: Regina Nworah, Marcelline Nwora, Mary Ferdinand Owumelu, Bellarmine Nwabunwanne, Angela Megwalu and Virginia Nweke. The majority of the married members are exemplary home-makers. The Parish has also continued to have the CYON – Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria – as a strong body. The present executives of the Parish CYON is led by President Mr Dominic Ogugua. The Parish Holy Childhood Association (HCA) came into existence on February 2016. To the glory of God, the Parish has been blessed with religious vocations to the priesthood and Consecrated Life with a good number already ordained priests and professed as religious. They include: Priests: 1. Rev. Fr Francis C.O. Ughanze ordained in Umunya, 7th May 1973 2. Rev. Fr Cyprian Ubaka ordained 12th July 1981
3. Rev. Fr Micheal Udegbunam ordained 12th July 1981
Others are:
4. Fr. Emmanuel Nworah
5. Fr. Callistus Mbanwusi
6. Fr. Too Michael Chika
7. Fr. Pius Nwankwo
8. Fr. Christian Adike
9. Fr. Christopher Mbamalu
10. Fr. Peter Obimma
11. Fr. Emmanuel Nwabufoh
12. Fr. Emmanuel Megwalu
13. Fr. Stephen Nwatah
Professor Sisters:
1. Sr. Ferdinard Onwumelu
2. Sr. Bellarmine Nwabunwanne
3. Sr. Regina Nworah
4. Sr. Joselyn Onwuanyi
5. Sr. Marcellina Nworah
6. Sr. Nneka Nweke
7. Sr. Amaka Ughanze
8. Sr. MaryCyprian Megwalu
9. Sr. MaryCatherine Udeozo
10. Sr. Helen Mabia
11. Sr. Chizoba Ikeduba
Rev. Fr Anthony Idigo handed over to Rev. Fr Clement Aghadinuno in 2015. Rev. Fr Clement met with Rev. Fr BonaChristus Umeogu who was already serving as a priest in residence. Both priests were living together and cooperating in the parish apostolate. Unfortunately, the tenure of Rev. Fr Aghadinuno did not last long because of the crisis that engulfed the parish.
Rev. Fr JohnBosco Ezika was appointed the new parish priest in 2016. Rev. Fr Ezika had a Parish Vicar, Rev. Fr Patrick Okigbo. Both of them were living in the Fathers house and cooperating in the parish apostolate. Notably during the tenure of Rev. Fr John Bosco Ezika was the renovation and dedication of St Theresa’s church Umunya on the 30th of September 2018. After 3 years, in 2019, Rev. Fr John Bosco was transferred and Rev. Fr Dr John Anosike was appointed the Parish Priest.
On the 17th of March 2023, the new diocese of Aguleri was carved out of the Archdiocese of Onitsha. The new diocese of Aguleri was made up of towns in Oyi, Ayamelum, Anambra East and Anambra West local government areas. Umunya belonging to Oyi LGA, automatically belonged to Aguleri Diocese, with the parish priest Rev. Fr Dr John Anosike.
Parish Pious Societies: legion of mary, mary league, St. Anthony society, st. jude, tansi solidarity.
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr Frederick NDIMAEME
