Tragedy struck St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, as its Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Chukwuma, reportedly collapsed and died while delivering a homily during the New Year’s Eve Mass.
The 63-year-old priest was said to have slumped at the altar and was later confirmed dead, sending shockwaves through the parish and the wider Catholic community.
Until his sudden passing, Fr. Chukwuma served not only as the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, but also as the Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region in the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku.
He hailed from Akumazi-Umuocha in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku officially announced his death and outlined his burial arrangements in a statement signed by the Diocese’s Director of Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Uganwa.
“With total resignation to the will of God, the Bishop, priests, religious and lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku announce the call to glory of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Stephen Chukwuma, which took place on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025.
“Until his death, he was the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, and Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region.”
According to the statement, a Vigil Mass will be held in his honour on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, by 5:00 p.m.
The Funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Issele-Uku, by 10:00 a.m., after which he will be laid to rest at the Priests’ Cemetery in Issele-Uku.
