By Sunny A. David, Onitsha
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri, was filled with mourners on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as Catholic faithful from across the Diocese of Warri assembled to pay their final respects to Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri. In attendance were His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, several archbishops and bishops from across the country, numerous priests and religious, catechists, lay leaders, government dignitaries, and traditional rulers.
Delivering the homily, the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Odogwu Elue, offered both a heartfelt tribute to the late bishop and a profound reflection on the Christian understanding of death.
Bishop Elue recalled the late Bishop Afareha’s final days, noting that what first appeared to be a minor illness that prevented him from attending provincial meetings soon turned into the shocking news of his passing. He described the late prelate as a father and brother who had “gone back home to meet his Maker,” acknowledging the deep pain that accompanies death, regardless of age or circumstance.
Reflecting on the certainty of human mortality, Bishop Elue spoke of two undeniable realities: entry into the world and eventual departure from it. He urged the faithful not to see death as something terrifying, but rather as a transition — “a gateway” to eternal life.
The homilist distinguished between two forms of immortality. The first, he explained, is temporal immortality — achievements, monuments, and written works that may endure for a time but eventually fade or are forgotten. The second, which he described as true immortality, lies in the lasting impact one makes on the souls of others. These “good impressions,” he said, endure because the human soul is immortal.
Bishop Elue further emphasized that the nature of one’s eternal destiny is shaped by how one lives on earth. Heaven, he noted, is the fulfillment and perfection of the joy, love, and justice shared with others in this life. Hell, on the other hand, represents the final consequence of a wasted and unproductive life.
Encouraging the faithful to reflect deeply, he stated that those who lift the burdens of pain, poverty, and oppression from others give meaning to their lives and prepare themselves for eternal reward. He called on all present to emulate the faith and dedication of the late Bishop Afareha, who devoted decades of his life to priestly and episcopal ministry, especially in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Funeral Mass was marked by prayer, solemn reflection, and gratitude for a life of service to God and humanity.
