The death of the Emeritus Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Simon Okafor, jolted Catholic faithful in the Diocese as priests that celebrated Masses yesterday announced his demise. The Bishop died on Friday night, the same day an Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye, was consecrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral in the Anambra State capital for Awka Diocese. He was 79. Since his retirement some years ago, the late Bishop Okafor resided at St. Thomas Aquinas, GRA, Awka. He had been sick for some time which was why he was unable to attend the consecration of Bishop Okoye on Friday. Many parishes in the Diocese offered prayers yesterday for the repose of his soul, describing him as one of the most hard working Bishops Awka had had.
[eap_ad_1] Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who was close to the Bishop during his lifetime, expressed grief and sadness on his death, regretting that his demise had eclipsed the joy of having a new Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye. Obi, who described the late Bishop Simon Okafor as a lion of faith who showed apostolic zeal and commitment to the work of evangelization and propagation of the gospel, urged other men of God to follow his example at all times for the greater good of Anambra State, Nigeria and humanity at large. He expressed happiness that his successors in the Diocese have continued his good work and prayed the Almighty to grant him eternal rest. (Vanguard)
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