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CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ABAKALIKI DIOCESE PETER CHUKWU, DIES AT 60, BISHOP OBODO TAKES OVER THE DIOCESE

April 13, 2026 • Dons Eze • 2 min read

Following the death of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Chukwu, Bishop Ernest Aniezichukwu Obodo, has been appointed to take over the diocese.

Bishop Obodo is the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese.

The Vicar General of Abakaliki Diocese, Fr. Donatus Chukwu, who announced the death Bishop Chukwu, said he died on April 10, 2026.

Bishop Chukwu was ordained a priest on July 3, 1993, consecrated and installed as the third Bishop of the Diocese on August 19, 2021.

Sources said the late bishop was having kidney problem and later died after a transplant in an undisclosed hospital.
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With the death of Bishop Chukwu, the Catholic Church has appointed Bishop Ernest Anaezichukwu Obodo as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Abakaliki Diocese

The appointment was announced in a decree issued by the Dicastery for Evangelization, acting on the authority of Pope Leo XIV.

The decree, dated April 12, 2026, stated that the Episcopal See of Abakaliki became vacant upon the death of Bishop Chukwu.

According to the decree, Bishop Obodo, who currently serves as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Enugu, will administer the affairs of the Abakaliki Diocese during the period of vacancy and at the disposition of the Holy See.

The Vatican said the appointment was made after careful consideration and in accordance with the special faculties granted by the Pope.

As Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Obodo has been granted all the powers and responsibilities accorded by canon law to oversee the diocese pending the appointment of a substantive bishop.

The announcement was conveyed to members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference through a communication signed by Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General.

Bishop Chukwu’s death was described as “pious” in the decree, marking the end of his episcopal leadership in the Abakaliki Diocese.

With this development, Bishop Obodo is expected to steer the spiritual and administrative affairs of the diocese, ensuring continuity in pastoral activities until a new bishop is appointed by the Holy

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.