Nigeria’s Oldest Catholic Priest, Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, Dies at 104

Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, the most senior Catholic priest in Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 104.

In a statement by Bishop Gabriel G. Dunia of the Auchi Diocese, it was revealed that Monsignor Oleghe died at approximately 2:30 a.m. on November 24, 2024.

The statement, addressed to church leaders and the faithful, read:
“With gratitude to God for a life well lived, I hereby inform you of the passage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria, to the great beyond at about 2:30 a.m. this morning.

“He belonged to the Diocese of Auchi and 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.”

Monsignor Oleghe served in various parishes throughout his life, notably at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, Igarra, in Akoko-Edo Local Government. There, he implemented transformative reforms that helped establish the church’s current prominence.

May his soul rest in peace.