The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced the passing of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Owen Amos Ukafia.
Announcing the death of the cleric in a statement, Communications Officer for the Church of Nigeria, Korede Akintunde said the revered bishop died after a brief illness.
According to the statement, the announcement was made on Wednesday by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba at the conclusion of a consecration and presentation service.
“It is with a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of God that I announce the passing of our brother, a father in the Lord, and the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Owen Amos Ukafia, who was called to glory earlier today after a very brief illness,” the Primate stated.
Ndukuba called for prayers and a moment of reflection for the family the bishop left behind.
“We request the Church to keep the family he left behind in prayers,” he urged before leading the entire congregation in a minute of silence to honour the departed soul.
Bishop Ukafia was born on December 5, 1962, in Okoroete, Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
His journey in the clergy began in 1994 when he was ordained a Deacon by the then Bishop of Uyo, The Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Nglass.
He was priested a year later and served faithfully, rising through the ranks from Vicar of St. John the Baptist Church, Ikot Ekpene to Canon in 2002, and Archdeacon in 2006.
His episcopal journey culminated in his election as Bishop of Uyo on February 8, 2024, and his subsequent consecration on March 19 if the same year at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Akintunde confirmed that burial arrangements will be communicated to the public in the coming days.
