Passing of Fr. Godfrey Oparaekwe

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. Godfrey Oparaekwe, who passed away suddenly and tragically on June 17, 2025, while serving in Nigeria.

Fr. Godfrey was born on October 04, 1953, in Ulakwo, Owerri, Nigeria. He was raised in Nigeria and attended elementary, high school and university there, before continuing his studies at seminary schools. He enrolled at Immaculate Conception Seminary from 1971-1976 before moving onto Bigard Memorial Seminary, 1977-1980, and finally, St. Joseph Seminary from 1980-1983, where he achieved a degree in Philosophy and Theology. Fr. Godfrey was then ordained to the priesthood in 1983, at St. Joseph Seminary, in Ulakwo, Oweni, Nigeria, within the Diocese of Umuahia. In 2000, he received a Master of Theology and Christian Ministry at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Arizona.

Fr. Godfrey arrived in the Diocese of Tucson in 2002, serving faithfully within several positions, including at Sacred Heart in Nogales in 2003, as Chaplain at Banner University Medical Center, at Saints Peter and Paul, as Sacramental Minister at St. Patrick’s in Bisbee, and as Administrator at Immaculate Conception in Ajo, before returning to Nigeria in 2012.

Please continue to keep Fr. Godfrey in your daily Masses and prayers.
 

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Godfrey, O Lord,
and let Your perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace.
 
Amen.