A solemn turn of events marked New Year’s Eve at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, Delta State, as Rev. Fr. (Barr.) Stephen Chukwuma, Parish Priest and Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region, collapsed while delivering his homily and later died despite immediate efforts to revive him.
Eyewitnesses said the 63-year-old priest slumped at the pulpit during the Eucharistic celebration, throwing parishioners into shock. Parishioners and clergy immediately attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead before arrival.
The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku confirmed the priest’s passing in a statement signed by the Director of Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Uganwa. The late priest hailed from Akumazi-Umuocha in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Born on June 5, 1962, in Agbor, Rev. Fr. Chukwuma began his vocation as an altar server at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He attended Ngala Primary School and Ika Grammar School before entering the seminary in 1982.
He completed his formation at St. Paul’s Missionary Seminary, Iperu-Remo, and Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, and was ordained in 1990 by Bishop Anthony Gbuji.
During his ministry, he served at parishes including St. Brigid’s, Asaba; All Saints, Onicha-Ugbo; and St. Michael’s, Ubulu-Uku, and held leadership roles as Rector of St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme-Aniogor, and Dean of St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Campus, Ekpoma.
Despite the tragedy, the Mass continued under the guidance of assisting priests, following Catholic protocols that ensure the Eucharistic celebration is completed even if a celebrant becomes incapacitated.
Parish sources described the remainder of the Mass as solemn, with prayers offered for the late priest’s soul.
The Diocese has released the burial arrangements: a Vigil Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, by 5:00 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 28, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Issele-Uku, by 10:00 a.m., with interment at the Priests’ Cemetery, Issele-Uku.
Rev. Fr. Chukwuma’s sudden passing has sent waves of grief across Delta State and the wider Catholic community, marking a poignant reminder of life’s fragility even amidst worship.
