Renowned Catholic Priest Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele Dies at 60

Renowned Catholic priest Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Mario Ozele is dead. Father Ozele died at 60.

His death was announced in a statement issued by the Catholic Diocese of Warri.

The statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwabuoeike, following directives from the Bishop of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, stated that Father Ozele passed away peacefully in the early hours of September 15, 2026.

His death coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The statement read, “It is with profound sorrow and total submission to the will of God that I announce to you, by the directive of our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the passing unto glory of our highly revered, cherished, and devoted priest, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele.

“After bearing his illness with exemplary faith and courageous resignation to the will of God his Creator, he was called to eternal rest in the early hours of today, September 15, 2026.

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“Until his demise, he served faithfully as the Episcopal Vicar of Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli. He was aged 60.

We commend his soul to the mercy of God and implore you to keep him, the Diocese, and his immediate family in your prayers. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.

“May his priestly soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen”.

Fr. Ozele, fondly called “Papa T” by his parishioners and admirers, left a rich legacy of evangelical passion, spiritual mentorship and academic excellence.

Ordained on December 12, 1992, at the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan, Fr. Ozele’s early ministry saw him serve across multiple parishes, including St. Joseph’s, Aragba-Orogun, and the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Warri.

Driven by a commitment to ministry, he pursued advanced studies in the United States, earning a doctorate in pastoral ministry and church leadership in 2006.
  
Fr. Ozele was a pioneer in Charismatic spirituality in the Niger Delta, known for his deep reverence for Holy Scripture and the Holy Eucharist.

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He brought the gospel to thousands beyond parish walls through his audio-visual outreach program, Streams of Love, and his digital ministry, Catholic World Evangelical Outreach.
  
Beyond his administrative leadership, Fr. Ozele was widely respected for his compassionate counseling, vibrant preaching, and commitment to prison ministry and empowering the underprivileged.