Rev. Fr. Stephen Chukwuma, the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, in Delta State, tragically passed away while delivering a homily during the New Year’s Eve Mass. The 63-year-old priest collapsed during the service and was later confirmed dead. Fr. Chukwuma had served as the Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region in the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku. In a statement released by the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Uganwa, the Director of Communications, confirmed the death, expressing the church’s resignation to God’s will. “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.”
The Diocese has since announced the funeral arrangements, with the Vigil Mass scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Church, Agbor, and the Funeral Mass to take place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Issele-Uku. The funeral service will be followed by his interment at the Priests’ Cemetery in Issele-Uku. “May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement concluded.