Bishop Emeritus of Nigeria’s Warri Diocese Dies at 78, Eulogized for “impacting lives of many”

Warri, 19 January, 2026 / 11:50 PM

Bishop John Oke Afareha, who passed on Sunday, January 18, has been remembered for a faith-filled life and obedience to the will of God and for transforming many lives in the West African country.

Announcing the death, the Local Ordinary of Warri Diocese, Bishop Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, also remembered his predecessor for remaining prayerful even after his retirement in April 2022.

“Bishop Afareha lived his life in faith and obedience to the will of God, impacting the lives of many along the way. Even in retirement, he remained a man of prayer and a cherished father to us all,” Bishop Ovayero said in the Sunday, January 18 statement.

Born in Oleh in the Diocese of Warri in March 1947, Bishop Afareh, who attained the canonical age of 75 required for the retirement of Catholic Bishops in 2022, was ordained a Priest for Warri Diocese in December 1973.

In March 1997, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Warri and assigned the Titular See of Mina. 

He was ordained a Bishop in May 1997, and installed as Local Ordinary of Warri Diocese in March 2010, succeeding Bishop Richard Anthony Burke, who had been transferred to Benin City Archdiocese.

In the January 18 announcement, Bishop Ovayero called for prayers for the repose of the soul of the Bishop Emeritus, saying, “We commend his soul to the infinite mercy of God. May the Lord grant him eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon him.”

“Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, to whom he was deeply devoted, may he rejoice in the presence of the Lord together with the saints and angels. May God comfort the entire Diocese, the immediate family members of His Lordship, and all who mourn him,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Warri Diocese said that funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.