By Ozioruva Aliu
Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Fr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has died barely one month before his retirement.
He was said to have died in his sleep while on vacation abroad.
He would have turned 70 on August 25 which would have also signalled his retirement in line with the Catholic Church’s doctrine.
A statement by the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, titled “Notification of Death” officially announced the death of Akubeze “with profound sorrow, yet with a firm hope in the resurrection.”
The statement said he was ordained as a Catholic priest on October 3, 1987, appointed Bishop of Uromi on December 14, 2005 and consecrated on February 25, 2006. He was later appointed Archbishop of Benin City on March 18, 2011 and installed on April 28, 2011.
“Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze lived a very simple and humble life in faith and obedience to the will of God. He impacted on the lives of so many people. He was a complete gentleman and a father to us all.
“We commend his soul to the infinite mercy of God. May the Lord grant him a merciful judgement and eternal rest.”
He said the funeral arrangements would be communicated later.
Also, a statement by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, signed by its Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Michael A. Banjo, said the Church has already taken the incident as the will of God.
Part of the statement said, “Archbishop Akubeze was a unique shepherd who understood that the true development of the Church embraces both spiritual renewal and the holistic growth of God’s people.
“Under his care, the Archdiocese of Benin City has witnessed significant developmental strides. He was deeply committed to the welfare of his Priests with the conviction that the future of the Church depended on well-formed Shepherds.
“As an erstwhile President of the Bishops Conference of Nigeria, he firmly stood as a pillar of orthodox truth. His voice did not tickle ears but fed souls bringing to light his episcopal motto ‘Ut Testimonium perhibeam veritati’ (Jn. 18:37) which means ‘That I may bear witness to the Truth’.
“His patient listening and selfless generosity embodied a compassionate Shepherd who knew the smell of his flock. He demonstrated always by his gentleness and quiet disposition that genuine authority in the Church is not measured by power but by service and this was a result of his deep level of spirituality.”
