By Fr. OKHUELEIGBE OSEMHANTIE ÃMOS

The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has declared a special period of Masses and prayers for the late Metropolitan Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, as the local Church prepares for a solemn series of liturgical observances in his memory.

The directive, Issued by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanaofo, on the authority of the Apostolic Administrator, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, OSA, calls on all priests, religious and lay faithful to participate actively in the scheduled celebrations and prayers for the repose of the Archbishop’s soul.

As part of the programme, Masses will be celebrated in all parishes of the Archdiocese at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 10 August 2026.

The principal liturgical observance will take place at Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City, on Wednesday, 12 August, with a Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m. The vigil will continue with additional Masses at 10:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., providing successive opportunities for the faithful to gather in prayer through the night.

The 1:00 a.m. Mass Is compulsory for Abudu Deanery, while the 3:00 a.m. Mass is compulsory for Benin City Deanery. The 5:00 a.m. Mass is compulsory for Iguobazuwa Deanery. The respective deaneries are expected to provide the readings and lead the prayers during their designated celebrations.

On Thursday, 13 August, the body of the late Archbishop will lie in state from 7:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at St Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City. The Office for the Dead begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.

The Archdiocese has particularly urged the clergy and faithful to participate fully in the liturgical activities, describing them as an opportunity to pray for and honour the memory of their departed shepherd.

The programme reflects the Catholic Church’s profound understanding of death not as the annihilation of Christian hope, but as the moment when the Church commends one of her sons to the mercy of God while accompanying the bereaved community through prayer, Eucharist and the solemn rites of Christian burial.

•Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi & Lecturer @CIWA, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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