A Catholic priest in southern Nigeria has died after collapsing while preaching during a church service, an incident that has deeply shocked worshippers and the wider Catholic community.
Rev. Fr. Stephen Chukwuma, the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Boji-Boji Agbor, Delta State, collapsed on the pulpit while delivering his homily during the New Year’s Eve Mass on December 31, 2025. He was later confirmed dead. He was 63 years old.
The sudden incident happened in the presence of church members who had gathered to usher in the new year, leaving many in disbelief and grief.
At the time of his death, Rev. Chukwuma was also serving as the Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region under the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku. Church officials described him as a dedicated priest who had spent decades serving communities across Delta State.
Rev. Chukwuma was originally from Akumazi-Umuocha in Ika North East Local Government Area. He was born on June 5, 1962, in Agbor and began his religious journey at a young age as an altar server in the same church where he later served as parish priest.
He received his early education in Agbor before entering the seminary in 1982. His priestly formation included a spiritual year at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary in Iperu-Remo and further studies at SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Ibadan, where he completed his training in 1990.
He was ordained a priest in 1990 by Bishop Anthony Gbuji for the Diocese of Issele-Uku. Over the years, he served in several parishes, including St. Brigid’s in Asaba, All Saints in Onicha-Ugbo, and St. Michael’s in Ubulu-Uku.
In addition to parish work, he held key leadership roles within the Church, including serving as Rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary in Ejeme-Aniogor and Dean of the St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year campus in Ekpoma.
The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku has announced funeral arrangements for the late priest in an official statement issued by its Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Uganwa.
According to the statement, a vigil Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Agbor, followed by a funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at St. Paul Cathedral in Issele-Uku. Burial will take place immediately after the funeral Mass at the priests’ cemetery in Issele-Uku.
Church leaders have called on the faithful to pray for the repose of his soul and to remember his years of service to the Church.
