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“It was a sad commentary that Death smiled at Ozele and in turn, he smiled back at it”
By Mark Columbus Orgu
September 15, 2026, the Catholic Diocese of Warri, shockingly released a notice to all catholic communities, and the general public, signed by Rev. Fr. Jude Nwabuokei, Chancellor of the diocese. Part of the notice read:
“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 Ovareyero Ewherido, the passing unto glory of our highly revered, cherished, and devoted priest, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele.”
Giving sketch information, the Diocese stated that after Fr. Ozele, bearing his illness with exemplary faith and courageous resignation to the will of God, His creator, called him to eternal rest in the early hours of, September 15, 2026.
At this confusing state, social media was awash with tributes, from whatsapp platforms, to twitter, facebook, etc. Then come tributes raining like downpour from the people the late Priest had liberated from satanic attacks and operations, even as tears roll from the eyes of many like bathroom showers. But, what can humanity do in the face of unexplainable mysteries, to still thank God, because, the scripture tells us: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Very unfortunate and regrettable of Ozele’s demise. For me and many, it was like the biblical cry of King David when he learnt of the death of King Saul and son, Jonathan, who died while fighting the Philistine on the Mountains of Gilboa. David had wept and wept with the lamentation: “The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: How are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.”
My lamentation today comes with many questions regarding life and our bloodedness as mere mortals that cannot predict our dying day, even as our days are numbered. That was why Oliver Reed, who played the role and took the stage name, Proximo, in the movie, Gladiator, 2000, said, ultimately, we’re all dead men. Sadly, we cannot choose how, but we can decide how we meet that end, in order that we are remembered, as men.
This should be the chorus every human being should put in his mouth day and night, reflecting how we will be remembered, either for good or bad. It was a sad commentary that Death smiled at Ozele and in turn, he smiled back at it.
Sincerely, the impact of the late Priest mostly in the whole of Orogun Kingdom, and partly Ukwuani zone cannot be quantified. In fact, Ozele’s life was a shadow of liberation to many believers, who were once held captive in poverty and freedom by the underworld.
Notwithstanding this, the late Priest left unimaginable religious blueprints and brought salvation and light to the entire Orogun people and its environs.
In those days before the coming of Fr. Ozele in1995 to St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish, Aragba, almost every home in Orogun kingdom were Igbe dancers, who worshipped idols ignorantly. It was only a few families who were devoted to their Christian values, like the lates, Pa. Patrick Ewor , Mama Rose Ewor, Chief Alexander Edah Oke Onyetem, Mama Elizabeth Enwefah, Madam Louisa Ekewenu, Mama Margaret Erhame, Madam Philomena Edafeadjeke, Mama Eze Onomu, Madam Grace Ojumah, Pa. Edward Onou, Pa. Robert Onomu, Catechist Samuel Okunima Egerega, Mama Okenah, Pa. John Oyovwikimo , Pa. Ojeigu, Catechist Moses Osevwe, among others. These immortals promoted egalitarian and community service via their Christian life and were instrumental to Fr. Ozele’s success in Aragba.
In this regard. Fr. Ozele’s life became a light and many gave their lives to Christ and brought their idols to be burnt. The light of God indeed shone and doors that were closed, opened, Salvation, and healings became the testimonies. Aragba then became the hub of Christian tourism where people from the East, West, South, located the small community, just to encounter Christ and get liberation. The Community became economically viable and spiritually sound, as every home longed for the Ozele’s monthly night vigil, just to worship God in true and in spirit.
Today, Ozele’s seed has germinated more than as expected, hence, many of his disciples are now Priests of the Most High God while others, ventured into other human vocations.
Fr. Ozele’s transfer from SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli in 1994 to Aragba to shepherd the faithful (s), opened the lens of Aragba community’s gate to prosperity. This cannot be debated.
His stay in Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Aragba, from 1994-2000 made all the demons run into the ocean for the fear of being tormented and swallowed. His ministry blossomed and the light of God illuminated everywhere.
Now, before Fr. Ozele’s controversial transfer by then Irish Bishop, Richard Anthony Burke, who resigned on May 2010 amid allegations of historical sexual abuse involving a minor, to Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri in the year after the golden jubilee, 2000. In obedience to the church, Ozele moved to his new Parish, Warri, and later, the diocese sent him to America for further studies for close to nine years where he earned his doctorate degree.
But after that transfer, some respected Aragba Community and church elders, then visited the Cathedral and pledged with Bishop Burke to allow Fr. Ozele to spend more years in the Parish, so that he will continue some of his projects for the community. But the then Bishop turned down the request, like Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who refuted the Jewish chief priests to change the inscription written on top of Jesus’ cross, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’. That was the case of the late Fr. Ozele in Saint Joseph Catholic Church Aragba. The Bishop refused the request and that ended the Fire Marque Priest Ministry in the Parish but didn’t end the candle of fire burning in him till death.
His religious activities intensified in the Parish, which raised the morale of worshippers, and later translated to greater increase to the Christian community of St. Joseph then. For instance, these Outstations , St. Albert, Orogun, St. Gabriel, Abbi, St. John, Abbi, St. Anthony, Amai ,St Joachim, Ebor, St Francis, Emonu, St. James, Obodeti, Ss Peter and Paul, Ezionum among others were under Ozele. Today, the majority of these stations have become full Parishes.
Fr. Ozele, while in the United States of America, served the Catholic community in Brooklyn, New York, St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Brooklyn, New York — 2002–2003, St. Francis of Paola Catholic Church, Brooklyn, New York 2003–2009, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Brooklyn, New York — 2009–2012
While also in Brooklyn, he served as an Adjunct Professor at St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York, from 2009 to 2012, exploring knowledge and impacting the people.
Now, life presents to us several pictures, giving options, to either choose good or evil, because one cannot tell what tomorrow brings. So, the only thing that will follow us for forever is the impacts we choose to make. Second, we must forgive one another no matter the grievance, and let the wounds heal. Help anyone who needs your help genuinely and pray for God to preserve you in time of adversity. Fr. Ozele left these legacies which will remain evergreen in the hearts of many.
Before Fr. Ozele’s demise, he worked at St Williams Catholic Church, Orerokpe for some years and was later transferred to St. Joseph Catholic church, Okpare-Olomu, and then to SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli, his first place of assignment after he was ordained priest. Coincidentally, he was re-transferred to the same SS Peter and Paul until his sudden death.
I am glad that the Aragba Catholic community is also planning to celebrate Ozele’s life and pray for the repose of his soul from October 16-17. I pray also, that as the Warri diocese commence his burial rite from October 20, and then bury him on October 21 at Priests’ Cemetery, Pastoral Centre, Agbarho, the mercy of God will raise his soul to sainthood. Amen.
-Mark Orgu, wrote from Lagos, (Text msg only, 08028592006)
