The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in South-East Nigeria, has announced the tragic death of their Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nowrie Chukwu.
Bishop Chukwu, 60, died on Friday, 10 April 2026, 4 years, 7 months since he was consecrated and installed as the 3rd Bishop of Abakaliki.
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nowrie Chukwu. Credit: Nestor Global.
The obituary announcement contained in an official communication by the Diocese, obtained by Advocatus Africa, which was signed by the Vicar General, Fr. Dr. Donatus Oluwa Chukwu, noted: “With profound sorrow in our hearts, and trusting in the divine mercy of God, I write to notify you that our beloved Bishop, Most Reverend Peter Nworie CHUKWU, Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, has returned to the Father’s house.”
Priestly and Episcopal Ministry
He was born on November 5, 1965, in Ededeagu Umuezeokoha, Ezza North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
The Vicar General, who stated, “Please keep the Bishop and the Diocese in your prayers,” further disclosed that “Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu was – ordained a priest [for the Diocese of Abakaliki] on July 3, 1993, consecrated and installed as the 3rd Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki on August 19, 2021.”
Before becoming Bishop, he served in various pastoral and academic roles such as the Parish Priest of St. Mulumba in Echara Ikwo, St. Paul in Uburu, and St. Patrick in Nduruku-Amagu and as a pastor in Michigan, USA, at All Saints (Fremont) and St. Joseph (White Cloud) between 2000 and 2010.
Appointed by Pope Francis on 6 July 2021, to succeed the retiring Bishop Michael Okoro, Bishop Chukwu is the third Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki.
He had Totus Tuus Ego Sum (I am totally yours), as his episcopal motto which reflects his devotion to God and his flock.
His Lordship Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu (left) with other prelates at the 2026 Ad Limina Visit to Rome barely a month before his sudden demise. Credit: Anthony Eluno.
Professional and Academic Career
The highly academic Bishop holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2002–2007).
He had acquired other degrees from institutions in Nigeria and the United States which include a degree Philosophy from Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri (1985–1989), a degree in Theology from Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu (1990–1993) and a Master of Philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio (2000–2001).
The former Senior Lecturer at Ebonyi State University (EBSU) from 2017 until his appointment as Bishop was also the President of the Association of Nigerian Philosophers in American Diaspora (ANPAD) from 2010 to 2017.
Eulogy: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)
In a eulogy on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Banjo, stated: “He was a devoted Shepherd whose goal was the revitalisation of the pastoral and social mission of the Diocese of Abakaliki.”
According to him, “His life was a radiant expression of docility to the will of God” as encapsulated in his episcopal motto.
Fr. Banjo also noted that the late Bishop was “deeply committed to the Catholic Social Teachings, with the conviction that the Church has a role to play in moral leadership, education and the defense of the human person.”
Concerning his personal devotion, the statement underscored that Bishop Chukwu had a “personal declaration of total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
The Prelate, who was the Assistant Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria until his death, is remembered by the Catholic Church in Nigeria for “His humility, compassion and dedication to serve both God and the people entrusted to his care,” which reflects “a synthesis of both [his] spiritual devotion and pastoral sensitivity.”
Meanwhile, in the announcement to the Presbyterium and Lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki Fr. Chukwu prayed: “May the soul of Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.”
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Comr Ezeaka.
