82-Year Old Catholic Priest Dies During Mass Service

Catholic faithful in Umuchu town in Aguata local government of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, have been thrown into mourning after their priest slumped on the church altar and died while celebrating mass.

The priest, Rev Father Emmanuel Idika, slumped at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Umuchu while he was conducting mass.

After he slumped, church workers rushed to the altar and took him to a hospital but before doctors could attend to him, he was dead.

The 82-year-old Idika who hailled from Umunze in Orumba South in Anambra, was posted to the parish after he retired from active priesthood. He volunteered to assist other priests to celebrate mass.