The Chapel of Adoration at St. Mulumba Parish in Owerri, Imo State, has been desecrated, with the Blessed Sacrament stolen in a brazen attack that occurred during rainfall in the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, 2026. According to a statement released by the Archdiocese of Owerri on Thursday, unidentified individuals broke into the chapel by cutting through parts of the roof and entering through the ceiling. They made off with the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, leaving behind a scene of destruction and deep spiritual concern among parishioners.
The statement, signed by Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, Archdiocesan Chancellor, was posted on the official page of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese. Parish priest Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu confirmed the details, describing how the intruders gained access through the roof, indicating a premeditated and audacious act. The incident has sparked widespread alarm within the Catholic community, prompting immediate pastoral response from church leadership.
In reaction, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji has directed all parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish to observe a one-week prayer of reparation from May 1 to May 8, 2026, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily. The prayer initiative is aimed at seeking divine forgiveness, restoring peace, and strengthening faith in the wake of the sacrilegious act. Church authorities have also urged vigilance and cooperation with security agencies to apprehend those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State announced the death of its Bishop, Peter Chukwu, on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the age of 60. The official statement, issued on April 11 by Vicar General Donatus Oluwa Chukwu, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Bishop Chukwu was born on November 5, 1965, and was ordained a priest on July 3, 1993. He served the Church with dedication for over three decades before being consecrated as the third Bishop of Abakaliki on August 19, 2021.
During his episcopate, Bishop Chukwu was widely recognized for his commitment to evangelisation, pastoral care, and community development. He was described as a devoted shepherd who led with humility, compassion, and spiritual depth. His leadership left a lasting mark on both clergy and laity, and his passing has been mourned across the diocese and beyond.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State paid tribute, calling Bishop Chukwu a “towering spiritual figure” and “a spiritual colossus” whose life reflected sacrifice and devotion. He emphasized that the bishop’s transition marks the end of an era of moral clarity and fatherly leadership in the region. Tributes continue to pour in from across Nigeria, highlighting his role as a promoter of peace, justice, and unity.
Bishop Chukwu, an indigene of Ededeagu Umuezeokohu in Ezza North Local Government Area, was remembered as a man of deep faith and integrity. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, and the diocese has called on all faithful to pray for the repose of his soul. His death represents a profound loss to the Catholic Church and the broader Christian community in Nigeria, as the nation mourns a leader who dedicated his life to serving God and humanity.
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