This is a seminary that is not only a theologate, but also an interdiocesan/provincial seminary which serves the whole of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province and beyond. This province is made up of Onitsha Archdiocese, Awka diocese, Nnewi diocese, Abakaliki diocese, Nsukka diocese, Enugu diocese, and Awgu diocese. So, these dioceses have their seminarians being formed for Catholic priesthood in the seminary. Also, the seminary trains some seminarians from other dioceses like Mamfe diocese of Cameroon and Minna diocese of Nigeria, and seminarians from some religious congregations.

Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha is unique not only because of the magnificence of its physical structures, but also, and more importantly, on account of its animating spirit and its objectives. In the first place, the seminary takes its name after Blessed Iwene Tansi, an illustrious, industrious and noble Catholic priest and monk who was full of pastoral zeal for God. This priest and monk, who lived entirely for God, hailed from Aguleri which is in Anambra State. He was one of the early converts to Christianity in that part of Nigeria. Accordingly, the seminary is patterned after the spirit, life and teaching of Blessed Iwene Tansi including his hardworking lifestyle in all its various dimensions.

Also, the seminary has its motto as: Homo Vivens Gloria Dei which means, the living man [is] the glory of God, the motto which goes to show the seminary’s love and interest in the general welfare and formation of the human being. This accounts for the seminary’s objective of bringing forth a balanced human being who is deeply holy, scholarly, gentle and eventually, saintly.

Furthermore, the seminary focuses on the formation of priests after the mind of Jesus Christ, the High Priest and Ideal Priest, and in accordance with the mind of the Church. It aims at forming priests fit for our age, the authentic formation of priests in the circumstances of today. This is elucidated in the seminary anthem.

Deeply informative, educative, theologically sound and spiritually nourishing are the materials posted on this website. Avail yourself of the opportunity of enriching yourself and others by visiting the website. With these words, I welcome you once again to the website of Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha praying God to bless you!

Very Rev. Dr. Fabian Obi
Rector