Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese Peter Chukwu dies at 60

By Jeff Agbodo

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Chukwu, has died after a brief illness.

The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, while announcing the death of the bishop, said he served as the spiritual head of the diocese and was born on November 5, 1965.

The Vicar General of the Diocese, Fr. Donatus Chukwu, who signed the statement, expressed profound sorrow while entrusting the late bishop to the mercy of God.

Vicar Chukwu said that Chukwu was ordained a priest on July 3, 1993 and was consecrated and installed as the third Bishop of the Diocese on August 19, 2021 and that he died on April 10, 2026.

He said that the funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

He succeeded Bishop Michael Nnachi Okoro after his retirement.

The diocese called on priests, religious, and the lay faithful to keep the late bishop in their prayers, alongside the entire diocesan family during this period of mourning.

Bishop Chukwu was a priest of Ezza origin from Umuezeokoha, Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State. He studied Philosophy at Seat of Wisdom Seminary (1985-1989). He also did his Theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu (1990-1993).

Sources said that the bishop was having kidney problem and later died after a transplant in an undisclosed hospital.

He said that the young bishop brought innovation and transformation to the diocese through his policies and programmes according to Catholic doctrine.

“He will be missed not only by his family but by the entire Catholic faithful where he served as priest and teacher,” the statement added.