By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the 3rd Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu, describing his death as a profound loss to the Church, Ebonyi State, and the nation at large.

In an official condolence statement issued on Saturday through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor, the Governor said he received the news of the Bishop’s transition “with a heart weighed down by deep sorrow, yet comforted by the eternal promises of God.”

Nwifuru noted that the late Bishop was not only a revered shepherd of the Catholic faithful but also a spiritual leader whose life was defined by humility, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the service of God and humanity.

He described the late cleric as a “spiritual colossus” whose tenure marked an era of moral clarity, fatherly guidance, and steadfast commitment to peace and unity in Ebonyi State and beyond.

According to the Governor, Bishop Chukwu, who hailed from Ededeagu Umuezeokohu in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, distinguished himself as a tireless advocate of justice, love, and social harmony. He added that the Bishop’s pastoral ministry positively impacted countless lives, strengthened families, and deepened the spiritual growth of the faithful.

“The voice of the late Catholic Bishop in times of uncertainty, and his counsel was a source of divine wisdom to leaders and the faithful alike,” the Governor stated.

While mourning his passage, Governor Nwifuru drew consolation from the Holy Scriptures, referencing 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

He said the scripture aptly reflects the life and ministry of the late Bishop, who “ran his race with grace and finished strong in the vineyard of the Lord.”

On behalf of the Government and people of Ebonyi State, the Governor extended condolences to the Supreme Pontiff, the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the clergy, religious, lay faithful, and the immediate and extended family of the deceased.

Nwifuru further acknowledged the Bishop’s contributions to moral discipline, social stability, and peaceful coexistence in the state, noting that his passing represents not only a loss to the Church but also to Ebonyi State and Nigeria as a whole.

He prayed that Almighty God grants the late Bishop eternal rest and gives all who mourn him the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

“Adieu, faithful servant of God. Rest in the bosom of the Lord,” the statement concluded.

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