Worshippers at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State, were thrown into shock on Tuesday night, December 31, 2025, when the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. (Barr.) Stephen Chukwuma, collapsed while delivering his homily during the New Year’s Eve Mass and later passed away.
Rev. Fr. Chukwuma, aged 63, was the Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region in the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku. His sudden passing has sent shockwaves across the Catholic community in Delta State and beyond.
The late priest hailed from Akumazi-Umuocha in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Born on June 5, 1962, in Agbor, he began his vocation early as an altar server at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
He attended Ngala Primary School and Ika Grammar School, Agbor, before entering the seminary in 1982.
His priestly formation included a Spiritual Year at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary, Iperu-Remo, and theological studies at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, where he completed his training in 1990.
He was ordained the same year by Bishop Anthony Gbuji for the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku.
Throughout his ministry, Rev. Fr. Chukwuma served in several parishes across Delta State, including St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Asaba; All Saints Catholic Church, Onicha-Ugbo; and St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Ubulu-Uku.
He also held key leadership positions as Rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme-Aniogor, and Dean of the St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Campus, Ekpoma.
The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku officially announced his passing in a statement signed by its 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,” the statement said.
The Diocese also released the burial arrangements:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Vigil Mass at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, by 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Funeral Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Issele-Uku, by 10:00 a.m., followed immediately by interment at the Priests’ Cemetery, Issele-Uku.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
