The Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta State, has announced the death of one of its priests, the Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele, who died in the early hours of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the age of 60.
Fr. Ozele, a renowned charismatic catholic priest, was learnt to have died on Tuesday morning in Lagos where he has been receiving treatment.
The deceased priest, until his death, served as the Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwabukei, on Tuesday.
The statement, titled “Notification of Death: Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele,” said the priest died after battling an illness with what the diocese described as “exemplary faith and courageous resignation to the will of God.”
The statement read in part, “It is with profound sorrow and total submission to the will of God that I announce to you, by the directive of our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewereido, the passing unto glory of our highly revered, cherished and devoted priest, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele.”
According to the diocese, Ozele remained committed to his priestly responsibilities until his death, serving the Catholic faithful in the Ughelli Pastoral Region.
The diocese urged priests, religious and lay faithful to remember the late priest, his family and the Diocese of Warri in their prayers.
“Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
The Catholic Diocese of Warri prayed that the soul of the deceased priest would find eternal rest through the mercy of God.
“May his priestly soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen,” the statement concluded.
