Nigeria’s oldest Catholic priest dies at 104

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi has officially communicated the demise of Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, who passed away on Sunday at the remarkable age of 104 in Auchi, located in the Etsako West local government area of Edo State.

A succinct statement, endorsed by the Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, indicated that Oleghe held the distinction of being the oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria, and further noted that the church has made arrangements to conduct a funeral service in his honor on Wednesday.

The statement read, “With gratitude to God for a life well lived on earth, I hereby inform you of the passage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria as at today, to the great beyond at about 2.30am this morning on the 24th of November, 2024. He is of the Diocese of Auchi.

“He died at the age of 104. May his lovely and gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen. We have resolved to celebrate his funeral on Wednesday, the 27th of November, 2024.”