Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria, has passed on at the age of 104.
Media Talk Africa reports that Gabriel G. Dunia, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Benin City.
According to the statement, Monsignor Oleghe, of the Diocese of Auchi, Edo State, died at about 2:30 am on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
The bishop announced his funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The statement read, “With gratitude to God for a life well lived on earth, I hereby inform you of the passage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria as of today, to the great beyond at about 2.30 am this morning on the 24th of November, 2024 at Igiode, near Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo.
“He is of the Diocese of Auchi. He died at the age of 104. May his lovely and gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen.
“We have resolved to celebrate his funeral on Wednesday, the 27th of November, 2024.”
The late Catholic priest was born on February 6, 1920.
His remains will be laid to rest at the Catholic Cemetery at Ivhianokpodi, near Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area.
Media Talk Africa gathered that the centenarian retired about three years ago as a priest at the local Catholic Church in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state.
