Warri Diocese mourns Ughelli priest at 60

Goddy Simon, Asaba

The Catholic Diocese of Warri has announced the death of the Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele, Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli.

Ozele, 60, died in the early hours of Tuesday, 15 September 2026, after an illness, according to a notification issued by the Diocese.

The announcement, signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwabukekei, said the priest endured his illness with faith and courage before his death.

“It is with profound sorrow and total submission to the will of God that I announce to you, by the directive of our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewhierido, the passing unto glory of our highly revered, cherished and devoted priest, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele,” the statement said.

The Diocese said Ozele served as Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church until his death.

The announcement, addressed to priests, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese, urged members of the Church to pray for the deceased priest, his family and the Diocese.

“We commend his soul to the mercy of God and implore you to keep him, the Diocese and his immediate family in your prayers,” it said.

Nwabukekei also called on the Catholic faithful to continue praying for the late priest.

“May his priestly soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen,” he said.

The Diocese said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

The notification was issued from the Diocesan Secretariat on Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri, on the directive of Bishop Ewhierido.

Ozele’s death has left the Warri Diocese and the Ughelli Catholic community mourning the loss of a priest who held senior pastoral responsibilities until his death.