On Saturday, 19th July 2008, during his first Pastoral Council Meeting, the New Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Toochukwu Ukwuoma, in the presence of the Priests and Lay members of the Pastoral Council of the Diocese, announced in his maiden address to the Council, the appointment of Very Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel C.C. Nwosu as the New Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu. In his statement for the appointment, the Bishop acted in consonance with the Canon Law that when a Diocesan Bishop retires, all Vicars and all Diocesan key functionaries cease to function. However, to ensure smooth running of the diocese, Msgr. Emmanuel Nwosu was appointed the New Vicar General.

Msgr. Emmanuel Nwosu hails from Eziali Mgbidi in Oru West L.G.A. Imo State. He was a Lecturer and the Vice Rector of St. Joseph’s Major Seminary Ikot Ekpene – Nigeria for many years. Until his appointment as the Vicar General, he is and remains the Consultor of Orlu Diocesan Liturgical Commission, the Chairman of the Diocesan Music Commission, member of Orlu Diocesan Presbyteral Council, member of the Diocesan College of Consultors and the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Parish Ogboko Ideato South, Imo State.

With his appointment, Msgr. Emma Nwosu becomes the Vicar General of the New Administration of the Diocese. It should be recalled that Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Onyebuchi was the Vicar General during the last administration of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu in the reign of the Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha.

In the same vain, the Bishop reappointed the former Episcopal Vicars and the Deans of the four Pastoral Regions to function on acting capacity. Reappointed also were the Chaplains and the Directors of the various groups and statutory bodies in the Diocese till further information is given. The following diocesan functionaries were also reappointed to continue in the various positions till their tenure of office expires according to the diocesan guidelines: Surveyor Uzoma Duru as the Chairman of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Nnaoma Denis Muoleta as the Diocesan C.F.O. Chairman, Nneoma Lady Anne Obioha as the Diocesan C.W.O. President, Miss Ijeoma Igwe as the Diocesan President of Mary League Girls’ Association, Mr. Damian Onwumere as the Diocesan CYON President, Sir P.C. Udeozor as the Diocesan Laity Council Chairman and Mr. Barnabas Iriele as the Diocesan Lay Apostolate Council Chairman.

Finally, the New Bishop paid a glowing tribute to the founding members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He thanked especially the first and now the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha, the first Vicar General Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Onyebuchi, the first Pastoral Council Chairman Sir Mbionwu, Chief H.O. Onyenankeya, the first C.W.O. President Lady Grace Mbionwu, Late Eze Gregory Agbasiere of Uli and Late Eze Dr. A.P. Ebigbo of Amaofuo for their tireless efforts in establishing the Diocesan Pastoral Council and for successfully handing the baton to us today. He admonished all to keep trusting in God as we continue to work assiduously to keep the flag of faith flying and the flame of faith burning in the Catholic Diocese of Orlu.