Catholic Diocese of Warri Mourns the Passing of Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele

By Jason Oghenevieze

The Catholic Diocese of Warri has announced the passing of Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele, a respected and devoted priest who died in the early hours of Tuesday, September 15, 2026. He was 60 years old.

According to a statement from the Diocese, Fr. Ozele endured his illness with remarkable faith and courage, holding firmly to the will of God until his final moments. His death has plunged the Diocese into deep mourning, with clergy and laity alike paying tribute to a shepherd who gave his life in service to God and His Church.

Until his death, Fr. Ozele served as Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli. In these roles, he was known for his dedication to the spiritual welfare of the faithful and his tireless commitment to pastoral ministry.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Diocese, church leaders expressed profound sorrow at the loss, noting that “the altar may feel emptier, the rectory quieter, and countless hearts heavier” following the departure of a priest who once stood before God’s people proclaiming the Gospel.

Fr. Ozele’s passing is being described as a painful reminder of the transient nature of human life and the call for all to remain spiritually prepared, as “none of us knows the hour when God will call us home.”

He is survived by his family, brother priests, and a large congregation of parishioners whose lives he touched throughout his years of priestly ministry.

The Diocese has called on the faithful to join in prayer for the repose of his soul, asking God to forgive his sins, receive him into His eternal kingdom, and grant comfort to his family, fellow priests, and parishioners.

“May his priestly soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.”