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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State, especially the Catholic community, has been thrown into mourning following the death of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu.
Chukwu died on Friday, 10th April, 2026. The Catholic Diocese confirmed his demise.
A statement signed by its Vicar General, Donatus Oluwa on Saturday, 11th April, said Chukwu died at 60.
It said Chukwu was born on November 1, 1965 and ordained a priest on July 1993, consecrated and installed a bishop on August 19,2021.
The bishop’s death sent shockwaves to the entire state and beyond. Governor Francis Nwifuru has said he received the death of the bishop with a heart weighed down by deep sorrow, yet comforted by the eternal promises of God.
The governor, in a statement he personally signed, noted that Chukwu was not only a revered shepherd of God’s flock but a spiritual colossus whose life embodied humility, sacrifice, and undiluted devotion to the service of God and humanity.
He opined that his transition marks the end of an era of profound spiritual guidance, moral clarity, and fatherly leadership in Ebonyi State and beyond.
“As a true son of Ebonyi State, Ededeagu Umuezeokohu in the Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, Bishop Chukwu distinguished himself as an icon of faith, a promoter of peace, and a tireless advocate for justice, unity, and love.
With and through his pastoral mission, he touched countless lives, strengthened families, and nurtured the spiritual growth of our people.
“The voice of the late Catholic Bishop in times of uncertainty, and his counsel was a source of divine wisdom to leaders and the faithful alike.
“While I mourn his sad transition to eternity, I take solace and believe very strongly and convincingly in the eternal sacred truth in the Holy Scriptures, particularly found in the book of 2 Timothy _4:7, which reminds us: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
“Indeed, Bishop Chukwu lived a life worthy of this testimony. He ran his race with grace and finished strong in the vineyard of the Lord.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ebonyi State, I extend my deepest condolences to the Supreme Pontiff, Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful, as well as the immediate and extended family of the late Bishop.
“We share in your pain, even as we celebrate a life well spent in the service of God and humanity.
“As a government, we recognise the role Bishop Chukwu played in fostering moral discipline, rectitude and social harmony.
“His passing is not only a loss to the church but to the entire state and nation.
“We pray that the Almighty God, in His infinite mercy, will grant his gentle soul eternal rest and give all who mourn him the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”, the Governor said.
Another leader in the state and Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi, described the death of the bishop as a monumental loss to the Christian Association of Nigeria and the entire nation.
He said he received the news of the bishop’s death with profound grief and a heavy heart.
Umahi further described his passage as end of an era characterised by selfless service, deep spirituality, and an uncommon dedication to the work of God.
“He was not only a spiritual father to his flock but also a moral compass to society, an embodiment of discipline, and sacrificial leadership.
“As a teacher of the Word and a shepherd of souls, Most Rev. Dr. Chukwu distinguished himself through his calm wisdom, pastoral care, and his ability to reach both the high and the low with equal compassion.
“At a time when moral clarity and spiritual guidance are most needed in our society, his passing leaves a significant void.
“Yet, even in death, his legacy remains a guiding light, etched in the lives he touched, the faith he strengthened, and the enduring impact of his ministry across Ebonyi State and beyond.
“On behalf of my family and the Federal Ministry of Works, I extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Catholic faithful, the clergy and religious of the Diocese of Abakaliki, and the immediate and extended family of the late Bishop.
“I also commiserate with all who were privileged to encounter his remarkable life and ministry.
“I pray that the Almighty God, whom he served will grant his gentle soul eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom, and grant the Church and all who mourn him the strength, and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”, the Minister said.
Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi expressed sadness over the bishop’s death.
He said the bishop was not only a devoted priest of the Most High God but also a moral compass, a selfless servant of humanity, an erudite scholar, and an uncommon reformer whose tenure as the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki ushered in discipline, moral rectitude, purposeful leadership, and unwavering principles within the Diocese.
“My Lord Bishop, although your time with us was brief, like a candle in the wind, the memories we shared remain indelible. When I requested that you identify the most vulnerable parishioner across the four local government areas in Ebonyi North for my empowerment programme, you thoughtfully selected a virtuous blind woman of faith from Nkumoro in Mbeke Ishieke community, Ebonyi LGA. You also graciously inaugurated the modest, fully furnished three-bedroom bungalow I built for her.
“Our encounters were always marked by pastoral care, brotherliness, and compassion. Your words of encouragement—especially during the commissioning of one of my constituency projects—continue to resonate deeply with me.
“It Is indeed difficult to pen this condolence message, but we take solace in the will of God. We will continue to cherish and uphold your unblemished legacy of service and pastoral dedication, drawing strength from the biblical assurance of resurrection and eternal life”, he stated.
A resident of the state, Steve Ugama lamented the death of the bishop.
He described his death as the day darkness loomed large and covered the sunset with its beautiful brightness and a sad day that should have been a stillbirth, but came about to cause pains, sadness, and anger for the Catholic faithful and the entire state.
“What is life that we struggle so much to keep only for the reaper of life to take it at a glimpse?. From the darkness of last night, we prayed and hoped against hope.
“Sadly, the reaper of life hardly spares anyone whose knife it has anchored in on.
“Yet, at the sunrise, we chorus goodnight, my lord. May the angels welcome you home with a rendition of the hallelujah chorus”, he said.
Chukwu was born on November 5, 1965 in Ededeagu Umuezekohoha, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
After attending the Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, where he completed his philosophical studies (1985-1989), he completed his theological studies (1990-1993) at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu.
Subsequently he studied at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio (2000-2001) and at the Marquette University in Milwaukee, in the United States of America (USA), obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy (2002-2007). He was ordained a priest on 3 July 1993, incardinating himself in the Diocese of Abakaliki.
His appointment as the third bishop of Abakaliki Diocese was announced on Tuesday, 6th July, 2021; while his Episcopal ordination and Installation as the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki took place Thursday, 19th August, 2021, at St Theresa’s Cathedral Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
He was consecrated by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, with Archbishop Valerian Okeke (Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province) and Archbishop Augustine Akubueze (Metropolitan of Benin Ecclesiastical Province and CBCN President) as Co-consecrators. About 50 other Bishops from within Nigeria were also in attendance.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Most Rev. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Enugu as the Apostolic Administrator of Abakaliki diocese to fill in the vacancy created by Chukwu’s death.
The decree by the Pope appointing Obodo the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic diocese of Abakaliki was signed by Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General of Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN).
The Catholic faithful in Ebonyi State had declared a nine-dayNovena Mass across the parishes in the diocese of Abakaliki for late bishop Chukwu.
The programme was announced in all the parishes.
“As we mourn the passing into glory of our bishop, the parish priest invites us to a 9 days Novena Mass for Bishop Peter Chukwu. It begins everyday with Rosary and Mass by 6am daily in every parish church compound.
“May Bishop Peter Chukwu rest in peace. Amen,” the announcement said.
