The venerable mother See of the Catholic Province of Benin City once again witnessed the departure of a distinguished churchman. The Archdiocese, just a few months past the grand interment of Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, whose passing drew both local and international mourners in a memorable celebration of life, now stands in solemn tribute to Rt. Monsignor Festus Omede, who was laid to rest with reverence and honour.

 

The funeral ceremonies commenced on the evening of Monday, November 11, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Cathedral, Benin City. The Mass of Requiem, presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, His Grace, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, gathered a notable assembly of clergy, ivy of religious, and cluster of laity, all united in mourning yet uplifted by faith. The Vicar for the Clergy, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Ekhaisomi, opened the evening with a warm welcome, inviting those present to immerse themselves in the solemnity and spiritual depth of the occasion.

The homily was delivered by the esteemed Monsignor Paul Enow, a gentle and erudite figure whose words breathed life into Monsignor Omede’s legacy. With eloquence, Monsignor Enow painted a portrait of Monsignor Omede’s life and ministry, tracing his journey from the role of personal secretary to the bishop of Benin City diocese to his eventual place as a respected member of the diocesan curia and Vicar for the Clergy.

This was a man whose influence touched seminarians, whose counsel supported priests, and whose dedication spanned decades. Monsignor Enow emphasized how Monsignor Omede, through his quiet strength and gerundic commitment, exemplified the pastoral and administrative virtues required of a servant of God.

On the following day, November 12, 2024, the funeral reached its culmination. The Mass bore the tone of a provincial funeral, as befits the character of Monsignor Omede, who faithfully served not only in Benin City but also in the Dioceses of Auchi and Uromi. The liturgical gathering was notable for the presence of bishops from surrounding dioceses, including the Bishop of Auchi and the Bishop of Warri, as well as a distinguished assembly of over eighty priests and fifty religious sisters. Their presence symbolized the love and respect Monsignor Omede earned across the Catholic Province of Benin, which spans Edo State, Delta State, Bayelsa State, and portions of Rivers State and beyond. 

The homily at the funeral Mass was delivered by the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine Ehigie. In a brief but poignant address that lasted only four minutes and two seconds, Fr. Ehigie captured the kpim of Monsignor Omede’s life with a depth that resonated profoundly with all who were present. His words brought to light the integrity, dedication, obedience and humility that characterized Monsignor Omede's life, affirming that his legacy would live on not only through his deeds but through the lives he touched.

The ceremony moved toward its close with the final commendation, conducted by the Bishop of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, and the interment rites, solemnly led by Archbishop Akubeze. As the casket was lowered, a wave of emotion swept over those gathered, marking the final earthly farewell to a man who had been a pillar of the Archdiocese. With Monsignor Omede’s burial, the priestly cemetery in Benin City now rests the remains of five esteemed monsignori laid to rest within a decade, others being: Monsignori Ogbeide, Emonyon, Usenbor, and Ofere. In adding Monsignor Festus Omede to their ranks, the Archdiocese bids farewell to another towering figure of clerical dedication and sanctity.

The presence of so many gathered from across the province was a tribute to Monsignor Omede’s profound and enduring influence. A priest in the fullest sense, he was a towering colossus of trust, an unshakeable bastion of confidence, a radiant beacon of wisdom, a wellspring of unfailing patience, and a luminous source of compassion. In every fiber of his being, he embodied charity, with a father’s heart wrapped in the gentleness of a mothering spirit. He was a leader with the true “smell of his sheep,” and a genuine lover of the Church, whose dedication never wavered. His life journey traced the footsteps of a humble shepherd, yet these steps have left ineffaceable marks on the lives of all who encountered him, echoing his gentle yet formidable presence. May his gentle soul know eternal peace in the kingdom of our eternal Father where Lazarus is no longer poor.