Stephen Chukwuma, the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Boji-Boji Agbor, Ika North Local Government Area, Delta State, passed away after passing out during his sermon at the New Year’s Eve Mass.
Worshippers were shocked and devastated when the 63-year-old cleric slumped on the altar on Wednesday night.
Charles Uganwa, the director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, issued an official statement confirming the death.
At the time of his passing, Chukwuma served as the diocese’s Regional Vicar for the Agbor Region.
Particularly among parishioners who observed the tragic event during the Mass, his unexpected death has shocked the Catholic community in Delta State and beyond.
The sudden end of the ceremony is said to have traumatized several worshippers.
The late priest was from Akumazi-Umuocha, which is located in Delta State’s Ika North East Local Government Area.
He was born in Agbor on June 5, 1962, and started his religious career as an altar server at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Before enrolling in the seminary in 1982, he went to Ngala Primary School and Ika Grammar School in Agbor.
A Spiritual Year at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary preceded his theology studies at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, where he finished his training in 1990, as part of his priestly formation.
Anthony Gbuji ordained him for the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku the same year.
St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Asaba, All Saints Catholic Church in Onicha-Ugbo, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ubulu-Uku were among the parishes in Delta State where Rev. Fr. Chukwuma ministered.
He also held important leadership roles in the Church, including Dean of the St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Campus in Ekpoma and Rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary in Ejeme-Aniogor.
