Extol Missionary Zeal of the Deceased Priest
The faithful, friends, and well-wishers in the dioceses of Ahiara, in Mbaise, Nigeria; San Bernardino, in the United States of America (USA); and others in Grenada converged in the spirit of brotherhood and shared loss to graciously bid farewell to one of their best missionary priests, Rev. Fr. Martinianus Chidi Chileke, who passed on to eternal rest on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Fr. Chileke, until his death, was a resident at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish, Ekwereazu, Ahiazu, Mbaise.
Right from the announcement of the sad news of his death, the program for his funeral assumed a cross-continental complexion because of his exemplary services at the various places he served, besides his diocese of origin. Commiserating with the biological family members, the Bishop of Ahiara, Most Rev. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi CMF, together with priests, religious, parishes, and institutions where he served and officials of statutory organizations in the diocese, paid a condolence visit to his country home at Olonanyaji, Umukpo, Lude in Ahiazu-Mbaise, where they thanked God for the gift of Fr. Chileke and for the 27 years of his priestly ministry.
Prayers and other spiritual exercises for the peaceful repose of his soul were held at the various parishes where he served. Most notable is the Memorial Mass for the deceased at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Ontario, California, USA. Delivering the homily during the Mass, his classmate and friend, Rev. Fr. Julian Okoroanyanwu, described Fr. Chidi Chileke as one who loved his priesthood, a selfless and dedicated servant of God with a humanitarian spirit. He also noted that the deceased, in his illness, was one who never gave up hope.
At the Vigil Mass held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish, Umuokrika, Ekwereazu, Ahiazu, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Christopher Akuchie, delivering the homily, highlighted Fr. Chileke’s humility, courage, and strong faith in God.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara, Mbaise, Nigeria, the Bishop of Ahiara, Most Rev. Dr. Simeon Nwobi CMF, while welcoming members of the faithful present and those watching online in various parts of the world, stated that the Mass was to thank God for the gift of Rev. Fr. Martinianus Chidi Chileke to the Ahiara Diocese and humanity. He also said that it was also to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed priest.
He expressed his sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love by individuals and groups here and in the diaspora. He prayed to God to grant the deceased servant eternal rest in His bosom.
The homily of the Mass was delivered by Rev. Fr. Kenneth Anujurulem, who recalled the homily delivered by the late Fr. Chileke during the Solemnity of All Saints. He revealed that in that homily, Fr. Chileke impressed upon and admired the qualities of the saints and urged the faithful to be encouraged by the qualities of the saints, affirming that “this is the faith!
He said Fr. Chileke lived a wonderful life, he suffered sickness, and God took him to relieve him of the suffering. “We saw him, lived with him, and encountered him. He had a charitable heart; “You cannot come to Fr. Chidi without going with something’’. His mission as a priest opened the hearts of many people,” the homilist added. He stressed that “Fr. Chidi was one of our best, not only as a priest of the Catholic Church but also as the priest of the people’s hearts’’. We were praying for him to live a long life because we loved his ministering. He was full of hope and filled with faith. Peace, we pray, will be his reward in heaven,” the homilist concluded.
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Ahiara, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Godson Okoro, delivered a message on behalf of Ahiara Presbyterium. He thanked God, the family of the deceased, the various places he served, and all who helped him in his ministry. He affirmed that Fr. Chidi did not disappoint us! “He did all he could to serve God and humanity.
A message of solidarity and condolence from the Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Most Rev. Alberto Rojas, was delivered by Rev. Fr. Reginald Ibe.
Rev. Fr. Jerome Nwachukwu, the Parish Priest of St. Thomas Aquinas, Lude Ahiara, said the prayer for the Final Commendation of the body of the deceased, after which he was interred at the priest’s cemetery on the premises of the Cathedral.
Though Fr. Martinianus died at a relatively young age, the 54 years of his life and the 27 years of his priestly ministry were remarkably impactful and rewarding to the church and humanity.
Born into the family of the late Mr. & Mrs. Cajethan Chileke Iwu of Olonanyaji, Umukpo, Lude, in Ahiara, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, on April 15, 1972, he was the second child in a family of eight. Fr. Chileke was raised in a deeply Christian home, where he imbibed and displayed his sterling qualities of gentleness, generosity, and devotion that foreshadowed his priestly vocation and interpersonal relationships.
Fr. Chileke began his educational journey at Community School, Lude, Ahiara, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, to commence his priestly formation at St. Peter Claver Minor Seminary, Okpala, later proceeding to Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary, in Owerri, for his philosophical and theological studies.
He was ordained a priest on August 7, 1999, after the completion of his seminary formation.
He served at St. Mulumba Spiritual Year Seminary, Enyiogugu; St. Charles Catholic Parish, Enyiogugu; and Holy Ghost Parish, Uvuru, before being sent on a mission to Grenada, in South America, in April 2004 and later to the Diocese of San Bernardino, USA, in October 2013.
Left to pray and mourn the departure of Rev. Fr. Martinianus are members of his biological family; the “Wisdom 1999 Set of Priests”; and members of the faithful of the dioceses of Ahiara, San Bernardino, USA, and other places where he traversed during his missionary assignments.
May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen.
