The Parish Priest of St Gabriel The Archangel Catholic Church in Benin City, Rev. Father Festus Ogbomwan, is dead. He died yesterday after a brief illness.

At his official residence in the Edo State capital, the mood was sorrowful as members of the St. Gabriel Parish wept and sang moving songs that were said to be the late priest’s favourites.

Members of the church described the passing away of father Ogbomwan as a rude shock as he only complained of ill health last week.

A female parishioner said: “During (his last consecration) he was coughing for more than ten minutes. The host was in his hands. When he regained himself he then preached about the litany of the saints and asked us to prepare ourselves because we don’t know when Jesus Christ would come.”

Another female parishioner described father Ogbomwan as kindhearted and nice to everyone. “I just thank God for his life,” she said.

Father Ogbomwan passed on at a hospital in Delta state where he was rushed to after his health deteriorated.

•Photo shows late Father Ogbomwan.