The Catholic Diocese of Warri has announced the passing of its immediate past Bishop, Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha, who died on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Bishop Afareha was born on March 10, 1947, in Oleh, Delta State. His death was confirmed in an official statement signed by the Bishop of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, who said the diocese received the news with profound sorrow but with unwavering Christian faith in the resurrection.
According to the statement, the late prelate was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Warri on March 3, 1997, and was consecrated on May 14 of the same year. He later became the substantive Bishop of the Diocese on March 29, 2010, serving faithfully until his retirement on March 10, 2022, upon attaining the canonical age of 75.
During his years of episcopal leadership, Bishop Afareha was widely admired for his calm disposition, firm guidance, and deep commitment to prayer, discipline, and pastoral duty. He was also noted for his modest lifestyle and personal concern for the spiritual well-being of priests and lay faithful, qualities that earned him respect across the Nigerian Catholic community.
The diocese noted that even after retirement, Bishop Afareha remained actively connected to the life of the Church, dedicating himself to prayer and offering counsel whenever called upon.
Commending his soul to the mercy of God, the Diocese of Warri prayed for his eternal rest and for divine consolation for his family, clergy, and all the faithful mourning his loss.
As part of official mourning rites, Bishop Ewherido directed that Holy Masses be celebrated in all parishes and chaplaincies of the diocese for the repose of the late bishop’s soul until the Month’s Mind Mass.
The diocese added that details of the funeral and burial arrangements would be announced at a later date.
