THE Roman Catholic Diocese of Ahiara was established a diocese in Ahiara in the region of Mbaise in Imo State out of the old Diocese of Owerri on November 18, 1987 with Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe as its first bishop until his death on September 16, 2010. On Friday, December 7, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of Monsignor Peter Okpalaeke, a native of Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the second bishop of Ahiara to shepherd the Diocese.