Rev. Fr. Raymond Eselu, a Parish Priest at the St Patrick’s Parish, Ezza Ofu, at the Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, Ebonyi State, died on steering while returning from a colleague’s burial ceremony.
The Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, who confirmed the tragic incident in a statement said Eselu died at the Alex Ekweme Federal Teaching Hospital, AE FETHA II, after an auto crash which occurred in front of St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Abakaliki.
The 47-year-old Eselu, had attended the burial ceremony of the Parish Priest, St Paul’s Parish Amudo, Ezza LGA, Fr Christopher Agwu, who died on August 4, after battling a terminal illness. It was gathered that Eselu left the event and was driving to see his doctor when he passed on, leaving the car to roll and stop abruptly. Agwu and Eselu were ordained on July 6, 1996, and July 7, 2007, respectively.
The Diocese, which eulogized Agwu at his burial, officiated by the Bishop of the diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu, described Eselu, as ‘a “brilliant, jovial, dedicated and workaholic priest, who took delight in celebrating the mass”.
He will be buried on September 6 after a requiem mass.