Parish Priest Collapses and Dies During New Year’s Eve Mass

Stephen Chukwuma, the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Boji-Boji Agbor, Ika North Local Government Area, Delta State, passed away after passing away while giving his sermon during the New Year’s Eve Mass.

Worshippers were shocked and devastated on Wednesday night when the 63-year-old preacher collapsed on the altar.

Charles Uganwa, the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku’s director of communications, signed an official statement confirming the death.

At the time of his passing, Chukwuma was the diocese’s Regional Vicar for the Agbor Region.

Particularly among parishioners who saw the terrible event during the Mass, his unexpected death has shocked the Catholic community in Delta State and beyond.

The sudden end of the ceremony allegedly left many congregants traumatized.

The deceased priest was from Akumazi-Umuocha, which is located in Delta State’s Ika North East Local Government Area.

He started his religious career early as an altar server at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He was born in Agbor on June 5, 1962.

Before enrolling in the seminary in 1982, he attended Agbor’s Ngala Primary School and Ika Grammar School.

A Spiritual Year at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary preceded theology studies at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, where he finished his training in 1990, as part of his priestly formation.

Anthony Gbuji ordained him for the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku in the same year.

at Delta State, Rev. Fr. Chukwuma worked at a number of parishes, including St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ubulu-Uku, All Saints Catholic Church in Onicha-Ugbo, and St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Asaba.

Additionally, he held important leadership roles in the Church, including Dean of the St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Campus in Ekpoma and Rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary in Ejeme-Aniogor.