The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has announced the burial arrangements for three beloved clergymen whose lives of service left lasting imprints on the Church and the faithful they shepherded.
NATIONAL POST reports that Bishop Okobo passed on a few days back, throwing the church into mourning.
Before his demise, a popular priest, Rev. Fr. John Martin Chikani and another cleric, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Abonyi also passed on.
In a statement issued by the Diocese, it has now announced that the late Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Francis Emmanuel Ogbonnia Okobo, along with Rev. Fr. John Martin Chikani and Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Abonyi, will be laid to rest in September 2025.
The Church said the funeral rites for Fr. John Martin Chikani and Fr. Ferdinand Abonyi would commence on Monday, September 8, with Masses at their respective hometowns by 10:00 a.m.
It said while Fr. Chikani will be honored at Owereze Orba, Fr. Abonyi will be honoured at Idi Opi.
“The burial of both priests will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at St Theresa's cathedral Nsukka following liturgical traditions and diocesan directives,” the Diocese stated.
For the late Bishop Okobo, it said the burial would hold on September 22–23, 2025.
“The burial rites for the late Bishop Emeritus Francis Emmanuel Okobo, who served as the first Bishop of Nsukka Diocese (1991–2013), will span two days:
“On Monday, September 22, a Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Raphael’s Parish, Lejja—his ancestral home—by 10:00 a.m.
“Later that evening, at 5:00 p.m., a Vigil Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Nsukka, the mother church of the Diocese, which was also his own Parish.
“The final burial Mass will take place on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., also at St. Theresa’s Cathedral.
“Following the liturgy, Bishop Okobo will be interred within the Cathedral grounds, in keeping with ecclesiastical custom and the honor due a bishop emeritus,” the Church stated.
