Nigeria’s oldest Catholic priest Thomas Oleghe dies at 104
The oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria, Thomas Oleghe, has died at the age of 104. According to a statement by Gabriel Dunia, the Bishop of Auchi, Oleghe passed away at around 2:30a.m. on Sunday and will be buried on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The statement read: “With gratitude to God for a life well lived on earth, I hereby inform you of the passing of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria as of today, to the great beyond. He was of the Diocese of Auchi. He died at the age of 104. May his lovely and gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen. We have resolved to celebrate his funeral on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.”
His body will be laid to rest at the Catholic Cemetery at Ivhianokpodi, near Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area. The centenarian retired about three years ago as a priest at the local Catholic Church in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state.