The Catholic faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara gathered in deep sorrow, yet in faithful surrender to the will of God, at Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to bid farewell to Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ethelbert Anayo Uwadoka, a priest remembered for his simplicity, serenity, and precision of life.
Fr. Uwadoka, who died at the age of 73, dedicated over four decades to priestly ministry and the service of God’s people. His life reflected not merely the preaching of the Gospel, but its quiet and consistent embodiment in charity, humility, and pastoral commitment.
Earlier, on Monday, April 20, 2026, a condolence visit was paid to his family at Aguneze, Ahiara, by a diocesan delegation led by the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Godson Okoro, representing the Bishop of Ahiara, Most Rev. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi. Accompanied by priests, religious, and faithful from parishes where the late priest had served, the visit reflected the strong spirit of fraternity and solidarity within the diocese.
The Funeral Mass was presided over by Bishop Nwobi and concelebrated by the Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Very Rev. Fr. Reginald Egbu, representing the Archbishop of the Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, alongside numerous priests from within and outside the Diocese.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Nwobi urged the faithful not only to mourn the death of Fr. Uwadoka but also to thank God for the gift of his fruitful priestly life and witness.
Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Dr. Val Anyanwu, principal and manager of Pater Noster Secondary School, Ekwerazu, described death as an inevitable reality that should lead Christians not to despair but to deeper faith and preparedness for eternity. He stressed that, for Christians, death is not an end but a passage into eternal life.
Reflecting on the life of the deceased, Fr. Anyanwu described him as a calm, peaceful, and deeply simple priest whose gentleness was never weakness but a strength of character. In a world often dominated by noise and restlessness, he noted, it takes courage to remain consistently peaceful and composed.
He further urged the faithful to embrace lives marked by peace, kindness, and love, reminding them that the legacies people leave behind remain the enduring testimony of their earthly pilgrimage.
Speaking on behalf of the diocese, the vicar general, Very Rev. Fr. Godson Okoro, expressed gratitude to all who came to mourn with the Church of Ahiara and conveyed words of consolation to the bishop, the bereaved family, the clergy, and the entire faithful. The Final Commendation was performed by Very Rev. Fr. Reginald Egbu.
The interment at the priests’ cemetery was marked by deep emotion as tributes poured in from priests, religious associates, and parishioners whose lives were touched by the quiet but remarkable ministry of Fr. Uwadoka.
May the Good and Merciful Lord grant eternal rest to his priestly soul. Amen.
