ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ede Dafinone has expressed grief over the death of Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele, Episcopal Vicar of the Ughelli Pastoral Region and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli.
In a condolence message signed by Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, he described the death of the 60-year-old priest as a painful loss to the Catholic Diocese of Warri, his parishioners and many others who encountered his ministry across Delta State.
Dafinone said Fr. Ozele dedicated his priesthood to serving the Church and promoting the spiritual and social wellbeing of those under his pastoral care.
He noted that the late priest’s years of service, leadership and counsel had made an impact on the lives of many people, adding that his death would be deeply felt by the Catholic faithful, members of the clergy and the wider community.
The senator conveyed his condolences to the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the clergy, religious leaders, parishioners and the entire Catholic community.
He also sympathised with the family of Fr. Ozele, as well as his friends, colleagues and others mourning his death.
Dafinone urged the bereaved and the Catholic faithful to find strength in the life of service the late priest lived and the positive influence he had on those around him.
He prayed that God would grant Fr. Ozele eternal rest and give his family, the Diocese of Warri, parishioners, colleagues and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.
“May the legacy of Fr. Anthony Mario Ozele continue to inspire faith, service and compassion in all who knew him,” Dafinone said.
