John Okeoghene Afareha, Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Warri, Dies at 72

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has announced the death of John Okeoghene Afareha, Bishop Emeritus of the Warri Diocese, who passed on in the early hours of Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Ejes Gist News reports that the respected cleric “was called home by the Lord” on Sunday morning, prompting prayers across the Diocese of Warri and the wider Catholic community for the repose of his soul.

Most Rev. Afareha was a senior figure within the Catholic hierarchy in the Niger Delta, known for decades of pastoral service, priestly formation, and diocesan leadership.

Priestly Formation and Episcopal Ordination

John Okeoghene Afareha was ordained a Catholic priest on December 30, 1973, beginning a ministry that spanned more than five decades. His priesthood was marked by parish administration, pastoral care, and active involvement in the growth of the Catholic Church in southern Nigeria.

He was consecrated a bishop on May 14, 1997, entering the episcopacy at a time of significant expansion and reorganisation within Nigerian dioceses.

Service as Bishop of Warri Diocese

Most Rev. Afareha served as the fourth Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, providing leadership during periods of social, economic, and security challenges in the Niger Delta.

His episcopal tenure extended until April 2022, when he formally retired in line with canonical provisions of the Catholic Church. Following his retirement, he was succeeded by the current diocesan bishop, Anthony Ewherido.

During his years in office, Bishop Afareha was regarded for his emphasis on pastoral outreach, clergy discipline, and the strengthening of diocesan institutions.

Retirement and Final Years

After stepping down as diocesan bishop in 2022, Most Rev. Afareha assumed the title Bishop Emeritus of Warri. In retirement, he remained a spiritual reference point within the diocese, occasionally participating in liturgical and pastoral functions as his health permitted.

Church sources described him as a bishop who remained deeply committed to prayer and mentorship, particularly for younger priests.

Reactions from the Catholic Community

The announcement of his death has drawn solemn reactions from clergy, religious, and lay faithful across the Diocese of Warri and beyond. Messages circulated within the diocese urged the faithful to join in prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.

Catholic leaders described his passing as a significant loss to the local Church, noting his long years of service and his role in guiding the diocese through critical periods of transition.

Legacy of Service

Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha’s life was defined by priestly fidelity and episcopal responsibility. From his ordination in 1973 to his retirement nearly five decades later, his ministry reflected continuity in pastoral leadership within the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

Funeral arrangements and official liturgical programmes are expected to be communicated by the Diocese of Warri in due course.