Our Diocese at a Glance
The Diocese of Zaria is the face of the Catholic Church in the Zaria area covering 18,000 square kilometres.
The Diocese of Zaria is a particular church within the Catholic church. The Diocese of Zaria is one part of the people of God, Christ’s faithful, entrusted to the care of the Bishop.The church is a diverse and geographically extensive Diocese with a catholic population of 71,336.
CURRENT STATISTICS OF THE DIOCESE AT A GLANCE
First Missionary:
Fr. Patrick O’Connell, SMA -1921.
First Masses in Zaria
13th-16th July 1911 By Fr. Berengario Cermenati.
First Baptism
15th August, 1915 of Maria (a Daughter of Mr. Anthony George-a native of Kabba) by Fr. Alphonse Berlioux.
First Catholic Church built
February 1921 by Fr. Patrick O’Connell called “The Chapel of Bethlehem”
First Confirmation administered
September, 1930 by Fr. Porter.
First Standard Catholic Church built
Dedicated to Christ the King (CKC), Blessed and opened on 7th June, 1931 by Fr. John MacCarthy.
First Bishop
Most Rev. Dr. George Jonathan Dodo.
The First Diocesan Priests’ Meeting
26th September, 2001.
The First Diocesan Priests’ Retreat
5th-10th August, 2001.
The First Priestly Ordination
11th August, 2001.
The First Laity Council Constitution
Signed into law, 25th March, 2003 and officially promulgated on 15th April, 2003.
Geographical Area Covered by the Diocese
18,000 sq km
Human Population of the Diocese
2,499,450
Catholic Population
49,627
Number of Parishes/Pastoral Areas
26
Number of Military/Police Chaplaincies
3
Incardinated priests currently working in the Diocese
43
Incardinated Priests working in other Dioceses
12
Incardinated Priests of the Diocese on Studies
5
Total number of incardinated Priests of the Diocese
63
Priests on Mission from other Dioceses/Congregation
8
Total number of Priests currently working in the Diocese
54
Male Religious Working in the Diocese
2
Female Religious Working in the Diocese
2
Major Seminarians
34
Trained Catechists
37
Volunteer Preachers
1
Masu Wa’azi
126