Nigeria’s Oldest Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr Monsignor Thomas Oleghe Passes Away.
Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, Nigeria’s most senior Catholic priest, has died at the age of 104.
About Rev. Fr Monsignor Thomas Oleghe.
A Lifetime of Dedicated Service.
Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, who was born in 1920, dedicated nearly 67 years of his life to serving as a priest.
Following his ordination in December 1957.
The centenarian priest, from Igiode near Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State
A Ministry Spanning Multiple Parishes.
Throughout his ministry, Monsignor Oleghe served in various parishes within what is now the Auchi Diocese.
Notably, he ministered at St. John the Apostle Igarra Parish, the oldest parish in the diocese.
St. John’s Parish, where Monsignor Oleghe served, has a rich history of nurturing vocations to religious life.
The parish has produced over 20 nuns and 17 priests, including Most Rev. Anselm Pendo Lawani, the current bishop of the Ilorin Diocese in Nigeria.
Remarkably, he initiated radical reforms at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, Igarra, in Akoko-Edo local government, laying the foundation for the church’s current status.
Having retired three years ago, Monsignor Oleghe spent his final years in his hometown of Igiode, after serving as a priest at the local Catholic Church in Fugar, Etsako Central LGA of Edo state.
A Legacy of Growth and Development.
During Monsignor Oleghe’s lifetime, the Catholic Church in Nigeria experienced remarkable growth, with the number of Catholics increasing from 2.9 million in 1973 to 32 million by 2020.
This growth mirrors broader trends across the African continent, where the number of Catholics in Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 6,708% during the 20th century
A Surge in Priestly Vocations
Priestly vocations have also surged, with the total number of African ordinations surpassing those in Europe for the first time in 2019.
The continent now trains approximately 34,000 priests in its major seminaries, representing 31% of the global total of seminarians.
Bishop Gabriel G.Dunia Announces the Passing of Rev. Fr Monsignor Thomas Oleghe.
Bishop Gabriel G. Dunia of the Auchi Diocese of Edo State announced Oleghe’s passing in a statement.
According to Bishop Dunia, Oleghe died at 2:30 am on November 24, 2024.
Tributes Pour in for Nigeria’s Oldest Catholic Priest.
Numerous Nigerian dignitaries have expressed their sorrow at the passing of Father Oleghe, who served for nearly 67 years.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and representative of Edo North Senatorial District, expressed deep sorrow over his death.
Monsignor Oleghe was described by Senator Adams Oshiomhole as,
“A paragon of Priestly humility and a steadfast champion of Christian values”.
His life was a shining testament to the virtues of faith, humility, and devotion.
Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Fr Monsignor Thomas Oleghe.
Bishop Dunia announced that Oleghe’s funeral will be celebrated today Wednesday, the 27th November , 2024.
Following a burial at the Catholic Cemetery in Ivhianokpodi, near Agenebode
Oldest Living Catholic Priest
The oldest living Catholic priest is thought to be Father Bruno Kant, of the Diocese of Fulda in Germany.
He was born on February 26, 1916.
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