The Catholic Diocese of Warri has announced the death of its immediate past Bishop, Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha.
Bishop Afareha, who passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, was born on March 10, 1947, in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Bishop of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, who said the diocese received the news with deep sorrow, but with firm Christian hope in the resurrection.
The statement said Bishop Afareha was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Warri on March 3, 1997, and was consecrated Bishop on May 14, 1997.
He later became the substantive Bishop of Warri on March 29, 2010, a position he held until his retirement on March 10, 2022, after attaining the canonical retirement age of 75.
During his episcopal tenure, Bishop Afareha was regarded as a calm but firm church leader who placed strong emphasis on prayer, discipline and pastoral responsibility.
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He was also known for his modest lifestyle and close attention to the spiritual welfare of priests and lay faithful, earning him wide respect within the Nigerian Catholic community.
The statement noted that even in retirement, the bishop emeritus remained closely connected to the life of the church, living a quiet life of prayer and offering guidance whenever called upon.
The Diocese of Warri has commended the soul of the late bishop to the mercy of God, praying for his eternal rest and for divine consolation for his family, clergy and the faithful affected by his passing.
As part of official mourning activities, Bishop Ewherido directed that Holy Masses be celebrated for the repose of Bishop Afareha’s soul in all parishes and chaplaincies of the diocese from now until the Month’s Mind Mass.
The diocese added that details of funeral and burial arrangements would be communicated in due course.
