By Andrew Darah
The Catholic Diocese of Warri has lost a giant. The Diocese has announced with profound sorrow the passing unto glory of one of its most revered and charismatic priests, *Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Mario Ozele*, fondly called *”Papa T”*.
In an official notification dated Tuesday, September 15, 2026, signed by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwabuokei on the directive of Bishop,Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the Diocese stated that Fr. Ozele was called to eternal rest in the early hours of today after _“bearing his illness with exemplary faith and courageous resignation to the will of God.” He was aged 60.
Until his death, he served as Episcopal Vicar of Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli.
A PRIEST, A SCHOLAR, A MOVEMENT
Fr. Ozele was not just a priest; he was an institution of evangelization.
Ordained on *December 12, 1992* at the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Ibadan, he served in parishes like *St. Joseph’s, Aragba-Orogun* and *Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri*, before proceeding to the United States where he earned a *Doctorate in Pastoral Ministry and Church Leadership in 2006.*
He returned to become:
– Chairman, New Evangelization Commission, Warri Diocese
– Director, Catholic World Evangelical Outreach and Founder of *Streams of Love*
– A pioneer of Charismatic Catholic spirituality in the Niger Delta
– An international missionary who took the Gospel to America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
On *December 28, 2025*, during his 60th birthday, he testified how God healed him from stage 4 cancer – a testimony that shook the faithful.
*TESTIMONY: THE FATHER AT MY FRIEND’S BROTHER’S FUNERAL*
The true measure of Fr. Ozele was not in titles, but in the lives he touched quietly. One such testimony comes from *Johnson Egbemudia Dudu, PhD*, who met him in Okpare-Olomu:
> _”The passing of my friend’s eldest brother brought a cloud of sorrow to Okpare-Olomu… It was during this solemn occasion that I first saw Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele. I watched as community men and women surged forward, bringing bottles of water, eager to receive his prayers. I asked, ‘Who is that Father everyone is pushing to see?’ The answer was, ‘That is Rev. Fr. Ozele.’_
>
> _I met a young man who lived with him who took me to his study… He gave me an 8-page form to fill out before he invited me into his prayer room. We spent intense moments praying together. He handed me Psalms to read and urged me to fast every Wednesday. He continued to follow up, inviting me to join his Saturday prayer meetings._
>
> _Thanks to his spiritual guidance and the power of prayer, the personal challenge I faced was eventually overcome… Rev. Fr. Ozele was a dedicated servant of God, using his calling to minister with faith, humility, and compassion.”_
That was Papa T – prayerful, disciplined, and relentlessly following up on souls.
*GOING HOME*
Fr. Ozele’s life was a testament to the power of prayer and unwavering trust in God. As Dr. Dudu wrote in his tribute: _”Although it is painful to know we have lost him physically, heaven celebrates his homecoming as a saint. Rest in peace, Man of God.”_
The Diocese has commended his soul to the mercy of God and asked all priests, religious and laity to pray for him. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
_May his priestly soul, through the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace. Amen._
