Delta Catholic Parish Priest Slumps, Dies During New Year’s Eve Mass

The Catholic community in Delta State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, Reverend Father (Barrister) Stephen Chukwuma.

The 63-year-old cleric reportedly collapsed while delivering his homily during the New Year’s Eve Mass and was later confirmed dead. His passing sent shockwaves through the congregation and the wider Catholic faithful across the state and beyond.

Reverend Father Chukwuma was the Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region in the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku. The diocese formally announced his death in an official statement issued by its Director of Communications, Very Reverend Father (Dr) Charles Uganwa.

The late priest was a native of Akumazi-Umuocha in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. Born on June 5, 1962, in Agbor, he began his religious journey at a young age as an altar server at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He received his early education at Ngala Primary School and Ika Grammar School, Agbor, before proceeding to 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 a priest the same year by Bishop Anthony Gbuji for the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku.

Throughout his ministry, Reverend Father Chukwuma served in several parishes across Delta State, including St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Asaba, All Saints Catholic Church in Onicha-Ugbo, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ubulu-Uku. He also occupied important leadership roles within the diocese, notably as Rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme-Aniogor, and Dean of the St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Campus, Ekpoma.

His sudden death has left parishioners, clergy and members of the Catholic community deeply saddened, as tributes continue to pour in in honour of his decades of service to the Church.