In the hope of the resurrection and in the promise of eternal life promised by Christ and proclaimed by His Church, bishops, priests, religious and political leaders, and thousands of faithful gathered for the funeral of Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu, the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, whose death at the age of 60 has left both Church and society mourning the loss of a pastor widely respected for his humility, courage, and pastoral closeness.
In fact, the Funeral Mass drew more than forty Catholic Bishops, alongside Archbishops, Priests, religious, and Lay faithful from different parts of the country, showing the breadth of esteem in which the late prelate was held
Representing the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Grotty, delivered a message of condolence in which the Pope described the late bishop’s ministry as one distinguished by pastoral outreach, commitment to the formation of the laity, and dedication to strengthening diocesan institutions.
“The Holy Father was deeply touched by the passing of Bishop Chukwu and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul,” the message stated.
Born on March 5, 1966, Bishop Chukwu was ordained a priest in 1990 and appointed Bishop of Abakaliki in 2021. Though his episcopal ministry lasted only a few years, many remembered him as a shepherd who combined administrative prudence with accessibility, simplicity, and moral firmness. His episcopal motto, Totus Tuus Ego Sum—”I am totally yours”—recurred throughout the funeral rites, not as a slogan of office, but as a lived expression of the self-gift that defined his ministry.
Delivering the homily, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, described the deceased bishop as a compassionate pastor who remained close to his people and attentive to their struggles.
“Bishop Chukwu brought intelligence, wisdom, and gentleness to his ministry. He was a prophetic voice for the voiceless and an advocate for social justice,” Archbishop Ugorji said.
He noted that the late bishop consistently spoke against injustice and social decay with calm conviction, remaining faithful to his episcopal calling even in difficult circumstances.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, also paid tribute to the late prelate, describing Bishop Chukwu as a humble and dependable collaborator whose wisdom, patience, and spiritual depth earned him respect within the episcopal conference.
He recalled his service as assistant secretary of the conference, noting that his contribution was marked more by quiet diligence than by visibility.
The funeral was attended by several political and civic leaders, including presidential candidate Peter Obi, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Governor Martin Elechi, and members of the National Assembly.
In his tribute, Governor Nwifuru described Bishop Chukwu as “an icon of hope, integrity, and moral rebirth,” adding that his death came at a time when the country urgently needs leaders of moral courage and spiritual depth.
“Bishop Chukwu lived not for comfort but for conviction,” the governor said. “He stood for truth even when truth became unpopular and defended justice even when injustice appeared powerful.”
As the final commendation concluded and as the late bishop was committed to the earth, many faithful stood in visible grief, praying quietly as the choir rendered hymns of Christian hope. Yet beneath the sorrow was the enduring conviction expressed throughout the liturgy: that the shepherd who spent his life proclaiming Christ had now returned to the Lord he faithfully served.
Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu died on April 10, 2026, following a period of ill health.
