Archbishop P. E. Ekpu Education Foundation

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

*TWO YEARS ON: IN MEMORY OF ARCHBISHOP PATRICK EBOSELE EKPU*

_Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos_

When Mahatma Gandhi died on that evening of 30 January 1948, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru walked into the studio of All India Radio burdened with a grief too deep for language. Standing before the microphone, he faltered. His voice trembled beneath the weight of a nation's sorrow. He searched for words, abandoned them, searched again, and then uttered what has since become one of history's most unforgettable announcements: *"Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere. I do not know what to tell you and how to say it."* It was more than an announcement. It was a nation's heartbeat breaking into tears. India stopped breathing for a moment. Homes fell silent. Streets became sanctuaries of grief. History itself seemed to pause. And then, almost immediately, Nehru corrected himself, as though even emotions had underestimated the greatness of the man who had departed: *"The light has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong; for the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light."* Indeed, some lights do not go out; they merely cease to shine from the earth.

So it was on the solemn evening of *6 August 2024*. Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze found himself carrying a news no brother bishop ever loves to break. He reached for words equal to an immeasurable loss, yet words seemed painfully inadequate. Nevertheless, history demanded its announcement. With profound submission to the will of God, he informed the Church that _Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu had peacefully returned to the Lord_ At that very moment, the atmosphere changed. The announcement itself altered the mood of the hour. Conversations died mid-sentence. Telephones began to ring without ceasing. Tears outran language. Social media became a sea of emotions instead of communication. The Apostolic Nunciature was informed without delay. Rome knew. The Church that had looked to him for wisdom suddenly realised that one of her noblest fathers had completed his earthly pilgrimage. Before long, tributes began to find their own unforgettable vocabulary: *"A legend has gone home. A patriarch sleeps. A servant has returned to the Master of the Great Harvest."* Great Ekpu had entered his eternal Sabbath.

The inspired author of the Letter to the Hebrews assembled what Sacred Scripture scholars have long called the _Hall of Fame of Faith_, where Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah and countless witnesses continue to speak long after their earthly voices have fallen silent. Every generation, too, writes its own chapter, not with ink alone but with lives expended in fidelity to God and humanity. In our own time, and in our own ecclesiastical history, the name +Patrick Ebosele Ekpu has secured such a place among those whose testimony refuses to fade. Born on the feast of Saint Evaristus, called home on the glorious feast of the Lord's Transfiguration, and laid to rest on the feast day of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, his life's journey unfolded like a sacred liturgy, as though Providence itself had arranged every milestone with divine intentionality.

Who can forget those unforgettable days? Before the cathedral bells had completed their mournful toll, messages had crossed continents. Dioceses mourned. Religious communities prayed. Rome listened. The universal Church paused. It was not merely the passing of a retired archbishop; it was the departure of a patriarch whose influence had quietly shaped generations of priests, bishops, religious and lay faithful. The grief was not orchestrated. It flowed naturally from hearts that knew they had witnessed an extraordinary life.

Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu belonged to that increasingly rare generation of ecclesiastical giants who stood like ancient cedars, deeply rooted, immovable in faith, yet astonishingly gentle in spirit. He had lived through the pontificates of eight Successors of Saint Peter, witnessing the Church through changing ages while remaining steadfastly anchored in Christ. Before the close of the pontificate of Pope Francis, he himself had completed his apostolic race. Rest is due to those who laboured. Reward belongs to those who spent themselves in the vineyard. His was not defeat but fulfilment; not extinction but homecoming. The righteous do not merely die; they enter into the everlasting Sabbath prepared by the Master whom they have faithfully served.

His legacy cannot be measured merely by years lived or offices occupied, though these alone would command admiration. He was the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, laying foundations upon which generations continue to build. Even in death he remained a pioneer, becoming the first to be laid to rest in the crypt of Holy Cross Cathedral, where the father of the province continues, as it were, to keep silent watch over the Church he so dearly loved.

Yet monuments alone do not create immortality; they simply acknowledge it. Barely two years after his earthly departure, *Patrick Ebosele Ekpu University, (Proposed)** rises proudly in Uromi, ensuring that generations unborn will seek knowledge beneath the shelter of his name. His enduring conviction, *"The Best or Nothing,"* continues to challenge minds to reject mediocrity and embrace excellence, for he believed completely that education is light and that enlightened people are liberated people. At Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre stands the magnificent _Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu Hall_, his name engraved in enduring honour. Stone remembers him. Institutions remember him. History remembers him. And eternity shall remember him beyond the reckoning of time.

Those privileged to know him remember not first the splendour of his office but the splendour of his humanity. His punctuality was almost sacramental. His memory was astonishing, preserving names, dates, events and histories with remarkable precision. His discipline inspired rather than intimidated. His authority never oppressed. His humility magnified his greatness. There was about him a serenity that preached long before he ascended the pulpit. Like incense lingering in a sanctuary long after the liturgy has ended, the fragrance of his life continues to sanctify the memory of those who encountered him.

In the days that followed his passing, voices rose spontaneously from every corner of the Church with a conviction that no one had organised or rehearsed. Like the pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square awaiting the announcement of a new Pontiff, many instinctively proclaimed, *"We have a saint."* Whether the Church one day formally places his name among the Blessed rests in the wisdom of Divine Providence. Yet the spontaneous affection that gave birth to that acclamation revealed a profound truth: authentic holiness possesses a language that every sincere heart instinctively understands.

His was the grace of genuine civility, refined without pretence and noble without affectation. He embodied the very prototype of the Catholic episcopate, demonstrating with quiet dignity what it truly means to be a bishop after the Heart of Christ. There was about him a natural aura, indescribable in words yet unmistakable to all who encountered him. He was every inch a refined gentleman, gracious in speech, measured in judgement and unfailingly courteous in every human encounter. His mind was a vast treasury, a living databank of knowledge, history, ecclesiastical memory and pastoral wisdom, a moving encyclopedia, yet his learning never distanced him from the simplest of souls. As fittingly captured in the tribute published shortly after his passing, _his mental faculties remained remarkably sharp until the very end; his steadfast commitment to prayer and friendship never wavered. At his dying, his serene demeanour, immaculate candour and unwavering surrender to God's will were nothing short of angelic. His magnificent resignation to God's plan, profound wisdom and gentle spirit radiated true sanctity. The joy that emanated from him bore the unmistakable mark of a fulfilled pilgrim, while the ovation that followed his passing was itself a celebration of a life lived in extraordinary fidelity_.

Reflecting upon his remarkable life, one conviction has only deepened within me with the passing of these two years: *I have never met a man so genuinely pious.* Such men do not vanish with death. They become enduring landmarks in the landscape of faith. They continue to teach without speaking, to inspire without appearing, and to shepherd without walking before us. Monuments may preserve his name, institutions may celebrate his legacy, and generations yet unborn may study beneath the shadow of his greatness, but eternity alone will reveal the full splendour of Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, whose earthly greatness was but the faintest reflection of the glory prepared for him by the Master whom he served with steadfast fidelity. _May his eternal reward forever surpass the immeasurable magnitude of his earthly labours. Amen_

Written by

Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos
Former Personal Secretary (2016-2021) to Late Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Ebosele Ekpu_

10/07/2026

*ON THE DEATH OF AN INCUMBENT CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OR BISHOP: Canonical Procedures, Ecclesiastical Protocols, and Pastoral Practice*

*Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos*

The death of an incumbent Catholic archbishop or diocesan bishop marks one of the most solemn moments in the life of the Church. Beyond the grief occasioned by the passing of a shepherd, the Church immediately sets into motion a carefully regulated process rooted in canon law, liturgical tradition, and centuries of ecclesiastical practice. Although no universal legislation specifically designates "the first forty-two hours," this initial period is of exceptional importance, as it establishes the orderly transition from the governance of the deceased bishop to the *sede vacante*—the vacancy of the episcopal see.

The procedures observed during these hours derive principally from the 1983 Code of Canon Law (Canons 409 and 416–430), the Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops (Apostolorum Successores), the Order of Christian Funerals, the Roman Pontifical, and the longstanding customs of the Holy See and the local Episcopal Conference.

*1. Official Verification of Death*

The first action is the formal verification of the bishop's death by competent medical authorities. Once death has been officially confirmed, the diocesan curia immediately begins the canonical and administrative procedures prescribed by the Church.

The Vicar General, Chancellor, or another designated diocesan official promptly notifies the Apostolic Nuncio, who in turn communicates the news to the Holy See through the Dicastery for Bishops or the Dicastery for Evangelization in mission territories. Members of the diocesan curia, auxiliary bishops, neighbouring bishops, the College of Consultors, priests, religious communities, and the immediate family of the deceased are also informed without delay.

Only after these official notifications is the public announcement made, ordinarily through an official communiqué issued by the Chancellor on behalf of the diocese. The announcement requests prayers for the repose of the bishop's soul and indicates that details concerning the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.

*2. The Episcopal See Becomes Vacant (Sede Vacante)*

The death of a diocesan bishop immediately renders the episcopal *see* vacant. Canonically, the bishop's authority ceases at the moment of death.

Where a Coadjutor Bishop has been appointed, Canon 409 §1 provides that he succeeds automatically to the office of diocesan bishop without further appointment.

Where there is no coadjutor bishop, the diocese enters the period known as *sede vacante*. During this time, the governance of the diocese is regulated by specific canonical provisions designed to ensure continuity while safeguarding the rights of the future bishop.

*3. Immediate Changes in Diocesan Governance*

The offices of the Vicar General and Episcopal Vicars ordinarily cease by law upon the death of the diocesan bishop, except where canon law provides otherwise.

Until a Diocesan Administrator is elected, only those administrative acts necessary for the ordinary functioning of the diocese may be undertaken. Every effort is made to preserve stability and avoid unnecessary innovations.

The Church faithfully observes the ancient canonical maxim:

*Sede vacante nihil innovetur.* *"When the episcopal see is vacant, nothing should be altered."*

This principle prevents major decisions, appointments, or structural changes that might prejudice the authority of the future bishop.

*4. The College of Consultors*

One of the principal responsibilities during these first hours belongs to the College of Consultors.

The College immediately begins preparations for the election of a Diocesan Administrator, which canon law requires to take place within eight days of the vacancy of the see. The Holy See may also intervene.

Until then, the Consultors ensure:

* continuity of diocesan administration;
* protection of diocesan property;
* preservation of official records and archives;
* safeguarding of ecclesiastical seals and important documents;
* observance of canonical norms throughout the period of vacancy.

*5. Liturgical Observances*

The death of the diocesan bishop immediately affects the liturgical life of the local Church. *His name is no longer mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer.*

Special intercessions for the repose of his soul are introduced into the celebration of the Holy Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.

Throughout the diocese, cathedral and parish bells are often tolled in mourning according to local custom.

Many dioceses direct that flags on diocesan institutions be flown at half-mast where civil law permits.

The bishop's *cathedra* (episcopal chair) remains vacant until his successor formally takes canonical possession of the diocese.

*6. Funeral Preparations*

Consultation immediately begins regarding the funeral arrangements.

These discussions ordinarily involve:

* the Apostolic Nuncio;
* neighbouring bishops;
* the diocesan curia;
* members of the bishop's family;
* the diocesan liturgical commission.

The funeral Mass is usually scheduled several days after death to allow clergy and faithful from across the diocese and beyond to participate in the Church's final commendation.

*8. Public Mourning*

The first hours following the death of an archbishop or bishop are characterised by profound prayer rather than administrative activity.

Typical diocesan observances include:

* publication of the official obituary;
* release of a biographical profile of the deceased bishop;
* opening of books of condolence;
* suspension or modification of celebratory diocesan events, where appropriate;
* celebration of memorial Masses throughout the diocese;
* encouragement of private and communal prayers for the repose of the bishop's soul.

The atmosphere throughout the diocese is one of mourning, gratitude, and hope in the Resurrection.

*9. What Does Not Occur During These First Hours*

It is equally important to note what the Church does not do during this initial period.

During these first forty-two hours:

* no major diocesan policies are introduced;
* no significant administrative restructuring takes place;
* no extraordinary financial commitments are undertaken;
* no permanent appointments are made that would bind the future diocesan bishop.

The emphasis remains on prayer, continuity, fidelity to canon law, and pastoral stability.

*Conclusion*

The first hours following the death of an incumbent Catholic archbishop or bishop reveal the wisdom and continuity of the Church's canonical tradition. Even in moments of profound grief, the Church demonstrates that her life and mission transcend those of any individual officeholder. Through carefully prescribed legal norms, solemn liturgical rites, and centuries-old ecclesiastical customs, she ensures that the People of God continue to be shepherded with order, dignity, and hope.

*Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos is a communication expert and not a canonist. Therefore, for detailed and all-encompassing guidance on this subject, the expertise of a canonist should be sought.*

10/07/2026

THE HOLY SEE APPOINTS BISHOP DONATUS OGUN AS THE APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BENIN CITY

In an official circular dated July 10, 2026, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, His Excellency, Most Rev. Michael F. Crotty, announced that, with the approval of Pope Leo, the Dicastery for Evangelization has appointed the Bishop of Uromi, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, O.S.A., as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Benin City, pending the appointment of a new Archbishop.

We warmly congratulate Bishop Ogun on this important appointment and pray that Almighty God will grant him abundant grace, wisdom, strength, and good health as he faithfully carries out this new responsibility in the service of the Church. May the Holy Spirit guide and sustain him in his ministry.

09/07/2026

Eternal Rest grant upon him Oh Lord and let your light shine on him forever.

09/07/2026

*IN PIAM MEMORIAM: A SHEPHERD JOURNEYS HEAVENWARD*

*At the Passing of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City*

_*Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos*_

The bells of Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City, have spoken today in a language every Catholic understands. Their solemn peal has travelled beyond the ancient walls of the Archdiocese, beyond the Province of Benin, beyond the shores of Nigeria, carrying a message that has descended upon the Church like the stillness that follows the final *Amen*. His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, has completed his earthly pilgrimage. A shepherd has returned to the Chief Shepherd. A successor of the Apostles has laid down the crozier. A father whose gentle voice steadied anxious hearts has entered that eternal sanctuary where faith yields to sight and hope gives way to everlasting joy. The cathedral bells continue their solemn conversation with eternity, but beneath their mournful cadence lies the quiet assurance that another faithful servant has gone home.

The official announcements have now been made. The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafo, has spoken for the local Church. The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, through its Secretary General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, has done likewise for the Church in Nigeria. Their duty has been faithfully discharged, for they have informed us that the Archbishop has fallen asleep in the Lord. Yet there are lives whose meaning cannot be contained within official communiqués. There are men whose passing demands not merely an announcement but contemplation, not merely an obituary but interpretation. Some occupy offices; others ennoble them. Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze belonged unmistakably to the latter.

Born on 25 August 1956, he departed this earthly life on 9 July 2026, having lived for sixty nine years, ten months and fourteen days. In scarcely seven weeks he would have celebrated his seventieth birthday. Only a few months ago, the Church rejoiced with him as he marked the twentieth anniversary of his episcopal ordination, giving thanks to Almighty God for two decades of fruitful episcopal ministry. How mysterious are the ways of Divine Providence. What appeared then to be the celebration of an anniversary has now become, in retrospect, Heaven's gentle preparation for homecoming. None imagined that the thanksgiving of yesterday would become the farewell of today.

There is a sacred beauty in the departure of those who have spent themselves entirely in the service of Christ and His Church. They seldom leave behind controversy. They leave behind fragrance. Their memory lingers not because they sought greatness but because they embraced faithfulness. Their lives become quiet commentaries upon the words of the Apostle, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Such was the earthly pilgrimage of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, whose death has not merely left an episcopal chair vacant but has created an emptiness within the heart of the Church in Nigeria and beyond.

Ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on 1 October 1987 for the Diocese of Issele Uku, the young priest soon distinguished himself by intellectual brilliance, pastoral sensitivity and uncommon humility. His profound knowledge of Canon Law never erected barriers between himself and ordinary people. Rather, it became an instrument through which justice was tempered with mercy and discipline was illumined by charity. Those who knew him in those early years encountered a priest whose quiet simplicity concealed remarkable depth, a man who never mistook authority for superiority and never confused learning with pride.

When Pope Benedict XVI erected the Diocese of Uromi in 2005, Augustine Obiora Akubeze was entrusted with the daunting responsibility of becoming its first Bishop. Every pioneer writes history, but only a few write it with serenity. Like David, whose seven years in Hebron prepared him for his reign in Jerusalem before he ruled over all Israel for thirty three years thereafter, so too did Bishop Akubeze's years in Uromi become God's providential preparation for his translation to the Metropolitan See of Benin City (2 Samuel 2:11; 5:5). During those years he did not merely establish diocesan structures. He cultivated an ecclesial culture rooted in communion, discipline, missionary zeal and pastoral closeness. He built institutions, yet never forgot that the greatest institution entrusted to a bishop is the human heart.

The chancery he established in Uromi became more than an administrative complex. It stood as a visible proclamation that the Church had come to remain. Priests found in him a father who corrected without humiliating and encouraged without flattering. Seminarians discovered a mentor who believed that the future of the Church would hardly rise above the quality of her priestly formation. The lay faithful encountered a shepherd who preferred listening before speaking and serving before commanding. His authority flowed naturally because it was born not of power but of credibility.

His translation to the Archdiocese of Benin City in 2011 opened another luminous chapter in his episcopal ministry. As the third Metropolitan Archbishop of that historic See, he inherited a Church rich in missionary heritage and distinguished leadership. Yet greatness never tempted him towards imitation. He honoured the legacy of his predecessors while quietly writing his own chapter with dignity, prudence and evangelical simplicity. He understood that history does not remember those who imitate greatness, but those who embody it.

His episcopal motto, _Ut Testimonium Perhibeam Veritati_, "That I May Bear Witness to the Truth," was never a decorative inscription beneath an episcopal coat of arms. It became the grammar of his entire ministry. Whether preaching from the pulpit, guiding the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria or addressing a nation burdened by insecurity, injustice and uncertainty, truth remained his preferred language. He neither surrendered conviction for applause nor sacrificed charity for confrontation. His was the calm courage of one who understood that the Church speaks most powerfully when she speaks with fidelity to Christ.

The Church in Nigeria recognised these gifts and entrusted him first with the office of Vice President and later President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. Those years demanded wisdom more than popularity and courage more than convenience. Archbishop Akubeze never mistook silence for peace nor harshness for strength. His interventions reflected the equilibrium of a shepherd who knew that the prophetic mission of the Church is fulfilled not through noise but through truth spoken in love. He became one of the nation's clearest moral voices because he spoke not to please the powerful but to strengthen the weak.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama once affectionately described him as "Mr. Generosity." Few descriptions have proved more fitting. His generosity was never theatrical. It revealed itself in quiet assistance to struggling priests, discreet support for the needy, patient listening to the burdened and an almost instinctive willingness to place others before himself. There are countless stories that will never appear in official records, stories known only to grateful hearts that discovered hope because Archbishop Akubeze quietly became the answer to their prayers.

Perhaps nowhere did the beauty of his character shine more brightly than in the filial affection he showed Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Ebosele Ekpu. In an age increasingly fascinated by novelty, Archbishop Akubeze reminded the Church that gratitude is one of her noblest virtues. He cared for his predecessor with the tenderness of a devoted son, ensuring that the shepherd who had once carried the burdens of the Archdiocese never experienced neglect in the evening of his life. Without preaching a single homily, he offered an unforgettable lesson on continuity, gratitude and ecclesial communion.

He was also a builder in the truest biblical sense. The chancery in Uromi remains a testimony to his pioneering vision. The magnificent chancery in Benin City bears witness to his administrative foresight. Only weeks before his passing, the Archbishop's residence reached completion, standing now as an unintended memorial to a shepherd who continued building until the twilight of his earthly labour. Yet buildings, impressive as they are, remain only the visible monuments of a much deeper legacy.

His greatest construction project was people.

He expanded parishes, established new Mass centres and strengthened the pastoral structures of the Archdiocese with quiet determination. He invested deeply in priestly formation because he understood that the future of the Church depends upon the holiness, learning and pastoral maturity of her clergy. For many years he chaired the All Saints Seminary Commission, nurturing generations of future priests long before they mounted pulpits or stood before the altar of sacrifice. He also served faithfully on the Governing Council of the Catholic Institute of West Africa, convinced that scholarship, when united with faith, becomes a powerful instrument of evangelisation.

His influence reached well beyond diocesan boundaries. As Metropolitan Archbishop he strengthened the Province of Benin, fostering deeper communion among its dioceses and encouraging missionary expansion. During his provincial oversight, Bomadi matured into a Diocese, further extending the missionary presence of the Church. Later, when the Diocese of Warri entered a delicate period of transition, the Holy See entrusted him with the responsibility of Apostolic Administrator. He accepted that assignment with characteristic humility, proving once again that genuine leadership is measured not by prestige but by readiness to serve wherever the Church calls.

He possessed another gift increasingly rare in public life. He built bridges. Governments respected him without fearing him. Traditional rulers welcomed him without reservation. Other Christian communities found in him a trustworthy partner. He understood that while the Church must never surrender her prophetic voice, neither should she abandon society to moral loneliness. His ministry became a bridge between the sanctuary and the public square, between doctrine and dialogue, between conviction and compassion.

Those who encountered him casually often remembered something deceptively simple. He was always impeccably neat. He wore the cassock not merely as ecclesiastical attire but as the visible expression of an interior consecration. Elegance accompanied him without extravagance. His words were measured, his voice gentle and his bearing dignified. There was refinement without ostentation, authority without intimidation and simplicity without carelessness. He reminded all who met him that holiness possesses its own unmistakable beauty.

Today, therefore, the Church does not mourn merely an accomplished administrator. She mourns a father whose charity embraced both priest and lay faithful, a canonist whose knowledge served mercy, a shepherd whose gentleness became his strength, a bridge builder whose life united rather than divided and a successor of the Apostles who spent himself generously for the People of God. The grief that fills Catholic hearts today is deep, yet it is not without hope, for the Lord Himself has declared, "I am the Resurrection and the Life; whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).

The episcopal chair will in time receive another occupant. Another shepherd will take up the crozier and continue the apostolic ministry within the Archdiocese of Benin City. Such is the enduring continuity of the Church founded upon Christ. Yet no successor, however gifted, will replace Augustine Obiora Akubeze, because every faithful bishop leaves behind an imprint that belongs uniquely to his own vocation.

History will remember him as the pioneer Bishop of Uromi, the third Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, former President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, an accomplished canon lawyer, a prudent administrator, a patient builder and an unwavering witness to the truth. Heaven, however, will remember him by a title infinitely greater than every earthly honour, that simple yet eternal commendation spoken by the Divine Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:23).

As the bells of Holy Cross Cathedral continue their solemn conversation with eternity, one imagines that another voice, infinitely more beautiful than bronze, has already broken the silence of Heaven. It is the voice of the Good Shepherd calling home the shepherd who spent sixty nine years, ten months and fourteen days leading souls towards Him. The crozier has been laid aside. The mitre has yielded to the crown that does not fade. The pilgrim has reached the eternal homeland. The labourer has entered into his rest. The father has gone to the Father's house.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

*Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos*
_A priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi, whose Ph.D. studies were sponsored by the Archdiocese of Benin City through the generosity of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze_