Umuchinemere Procredit
Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited

The late Archbishop Albert K. Obiefuna, Emeritus Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, was buried on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha, Anambra State, amidst high commendations, testimonies, tributes to the deceased prelate, and Requiem Mass.

Earlier in his introductory speech, the chief mourner and Metropolitan of Onitsha Catholic Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, welcomed all to the occasion and quickly reminded the people that the occasion was a celebration of the life and times of the deceased archbishop.

In his homily, the chief celebrant, His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, assured the faithful that the late Archbishop Obiefuna had only gone to take a final rest with God who sent him to earth to perform certain responsibilities, which he (Archbishop Obiefuna) faithfully carried out till his final day.

Cardinal Arinze called on the faithful not to see death from the point of view of end of life but rather from the point of view of beginning of the true life, a life of bliss, of eternity and of reaping the fruits of one's labour.

He prayed God to rest the soul of Most Rev. A.K. Obiefuna.

Different peoples, groups and associations brought in their tributes which bore witness to the amiable and sincere lifestyle of the deceased.

In his own tribute, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, described the late colleague as a great builder of persons and structures.

Archbishop Job charged the faithful not to forget his prayerful life as a virtue worthy of emulation.

In an official oration presented by the Onitsha Archdiocesan Presbyterium, the late Archbishop was described as a rare gift to the Archdiocese, to the Church and to humanity. The oration described such journey as the journey of a living saint.

The final commendation rites were performed by Archbishop Felix Alaba Job. Over 50 Archbishops and Bishops from within Nigeria attended the burial, including two bishops from Cameroun.

Three bishops from the Anglican Communion and one from the Methodist Church also graced the occasion.

(Culled from The Leader)