For Immediate Release: January 3, 2023

New Year Ushers in New Director to Lead Office for Black Catholics

Father Iwuji Succeeds Msgr. Walter C. Barrett Jr.

(RICHMOND, Va.) – Bishop Barry C. Knestout has appointed Father Tochi Iwuji to succeed Msgr. Walter C. Barrett Jr., who is retiring from active diocesan ministry, as director of the diocesan Office for Black Catholics. The change is effective Dec. 31, 2022.

Father Tochi Iwuji

Father Iwuji is pastor of the Central Virginia Catholic Cluster which includes the following parishes: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Blackstone; Sacred Heart, Meherrin; and St. Theresa, Farmville. Father Iwuji will continue to serve as pastor of the cluster parishes while serving in his new role as diocesan director.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Father Iwuji was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Richmond in 2019.

On July 1, 2022, Msgr. Barrett retired from active parish ministry after 47 years and stepped into the role of OBC director on a part time basis. During this time, Msgr. Barrett oversaw the office’s Annual Spiritual Retreat in November, initiated the planning for the 2023 National Black Catholic Congress Day of Reflection and the National Black Catholic Gathering in July 2023.

Mgsr. Walter C. Barrett Jr.

Raised in the diocese, Msgr. Barrett is the second African American priest to be ordained in the Diocese of Richmond.

Msgr. Barrett’s previous assignments as pastor were in the following parishes: St. Joseph, Hampton, and St. Mary Star of the Sea, Fort Monroe, for 11 years. Prior to that, he served at St. Vincent de Paul, Newport News; Holy Rosary, Richmond; the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk; and St. Gerard, Roanoke. He has also served as episcopal vicar of the Eastern and Central Vicariates and was assigned to several committees.

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