Bishop of Orlu
Augustine Tochukwu Ukwuoma was born on August 29, 1953, in Amucha, Imo State (Diocese of Orlu). He attended St. Joseph’s School in Umuna for his primary education and St. Patrick’s School in Amucha for his secondary education. He subsequently entered the Minor Seminary in Umuowa and later the one in Okpala. He studied philosophy at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and completed his theological studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu. He was ordained a priest on July 30, 1983, and incardinated into the Diocese of Orlu. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1983: Assistant Pastor at St. Gregory’s Parish, Amaigbo; 1983–1992: Pastor of St. Thomas’ Parish, Nkwerre; 1992: Administrator of Orlu Cathedral; 1992–2002: Doctoral studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Akron, Ohio, USA; 1992–1995: Associate Pastor, St. Ignatius’ Parish, Los Angeles, USA; 1995–1999: Priest in Residence, Annunciation Parish, Akron, Ohio, USA; 1999–2002: Hospital Chaplain, St. Joseph Hospital, Savannah, Georgia, USA; since 2002: Pastor of St. Teresa’s Parish, Uli. Additionally, he teaches part-time at the Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary in Owerri and serves as Regional Dean for the Uli pastoral zone, a member of the Vicariate Examination Board, and Chair of the Silver Jubilee Souvenir Committee for Orlu (2005–2006).