By Ononye VC
No fewer than 46 Catholic bishops led by the President of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Most Rev. Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso,attended the burial Mass of the late Catholic bishop of Abakaliki diocese, Most Rev Peter Nworie Chukwu at St Theresa Cathedral Abakaliki on Wednesday.
Pope Leo XIV was represented by his envoy (Apostolic Nuncio)to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Grotty who condoled with the clergy,religious and Laity of the Diocese of Abakaliki.
In his message,Pope Leo XIV said he was touched by the passing of the late Bishop and prayed God to repose his soul.
The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province,Most Rev.Valerian Okeke who was the Chief mourner and in whose domain the funeral took place,officiated alongside other bishops in attendance including the Cardinal Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese Most Rev Peter Okpalaeke.
In his homily, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical province,Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, described late Bishop Chukwu as a shepherd that was very close to his flock. He said Chukwu left no one in doubt that he was a bishop.
Ugorji further described the late bishop as an impactful pastor who made the joy and hope, and grief and anguish of his flock his own.
“To his work, Bishop Chukwu brought intelligence and wisdom, the spirit of enterprise and resourcefulness as well as his gifts of gentleness and good humour, a tireless prophetic voice, a strong voice of the voiceless, and active crusader for social justice.
“Bishop Chukwu also brought to his ministry courage, always fearlessly speaking truth to power in condemnation of social injustice, greed and graft.
“Above and beyond, he brought to his ministry, faith and love, humility and commitment. He lived true to his motto -“I’m totally yours” which is an expression of Marian spirituality and resolve to serve God and his flock with total dedication.
“The spirit of total dedication was a driving force of his entire pastural ministry as a bishop,” Ugorji stated.
In his tribute, the President Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso, described Chukwu who until his death, was Assistant Secretary of the Conference, as a true servant who embraced his pastoral duties with extraordinary blend of humility, courage and unwavering faith.
He said within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the late bishop was a cherished voice of wisdom and fraternal charity which led to his election as the Assistant Secretary.
Ndagoso said the Conference will miss Chukwu’s gentility, patience and timely words of encouragement.
“He never sought the spotlight but his quiet, calmness, competence and spirituality made him a pillar amongst us. The Conference has indeed lost a faithful collaborator,” he said.
In his own tribute, Governor Francis Nwifuru lamented that Chukwu died when the state and Nigeria urgently yearns for leaders of his moral stature, spiritual depth and fearless disposition, and at a time when society battles erosion of value and morals, insecurity, economic uncertainties and weakening value systems.
He said the late bishop was an icon of hope, integrity and moral rebirth and that his departure was very painful and difficult to comprehend.
Nwifuru said “Bishop Chukwu lived not for comfort, but for conviction. I say this because he was one of those rare servants of God whose voices echoed beyond the altar into the conscience of society.
“Our late Bishop stood for truth even when truth became unpopular. He defended justice even when injustice appeared powerful. And he remained courageous even when fear had become fashionable. The late Bishop was also a stickler for excellence and discipline.
“He never pretended to be neutral where morality and societal conscience were concerned, but carried the burden of spiritual leadership with uncommon sincerity and discharged his episcopal responsibilities with conviction, intellectual versatility, charisma and candour.
“In an era where many leaders have chosen silence in the face of moral decline and social uncertainties, our late Bishop Chukwu chose the difficult path of truth. He reminded us that the Church must never surrender its prophetic voice and that leadership must always be anchored on justice, accountability and the fear of God.
“Today, as we commit his remains to mother earth, one painful question echoes in our hearts: why did death strike at a time when Ebonyi State and Nigeria urgently yearn for leaders of his moral stature, spiritual depth and fearless disposition?
“At a time when society battles erosion of value and morals, insecurity, economic uncertainties and weakening value systems, our Bishop represented an icon of hope, integrity and moral rebirth. His departure at this critical period is painful and difficult to comprehend.
“Yet, as Christians, we are comforted by the eternal promises of God. Apostle Paul through The Holy Scriptures reminds us in the book of 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
“Without doubt, the late Bishop fought the good fight of faith. He served God with sincerity. He defended the weak. He strengthened the hopeless. He preached Christ with courage and dedicated his earthly journey to the advancement of God’s kingdom
“His episcopacy witnessed spiritual revival, expansion of evangelism, strengthening of Catholic institutions and deepening of moral consciousness within our dear Ebonyi State. He was not merely a preacher on the pulpit, but a shepherd among his flock, a father to the vulnerable and a moral compass to leaders”.
The late Chukwu died on Friday, 10th April, 2026, at 60.
Chukwu was born on November 5, 1965 in Ededeagu Umuezekohoha, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
After attending the Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, where he completed his philosophical studies (1985-1989), he completed his theological studies (1990-1993) at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu.
Subsequently, he studied at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio (2000-2001) and at the Marquette University in Milwaukee, in the United States, obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy (2002-2007). He was ordained a priest on 3 July 1993, incardinating himself in the Diocese of Abakaliki.
Dignitaries at the funeral Mass include former Governor of Anambra State,Mr Peter Obi, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and his Enugu state counterpart, Peter Mbah were among prominent leaders that attended the burial ceremony.
Other dignitaries at the event include former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, former governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, senators, members of the House of Representatives and many other government officials from within and outside the state.
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