By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Catholic community in Nigeria is set to bid farewell to a patriarch of the faith, Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Michael Olatunji Fagun, the founding Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, whose death was announced last week. Bishop Fagun died peacefully on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the age of 90.

The diocese has released the official funeral arrangements for the late cleric, a figure widely revered for his enduring pastoral zeal, profound humility, and lifelong dedication to the Church.

Burial and Funeral Programme

According to the funeral itinerary released by the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, the week-long rites of passage will include prayer sessions, candlelight processions, and a solemn funeral Mass.

Date	Event	Location
Mon, Nov 3, 2025	Candlelight Procession and Vigil Mass	St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Akure
Tue, Nov 4, 2025	Lying-in-State & Memorial Mass	St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti
Wed, Nov 5, 2025	Solemn Funeral Mass	St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti
Wed, Nov 5, 2025	Interment	Cathedral Crypt, St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The Funeral Mass on Wednesday, November 5, is expected to draw high-ranking church officials, government dignitaries, and thousands of the faithful from across Nigeria and beyond. Interment will take place immediately after the Mass within the Cathedral Crypt, a traditional honour reserved for diocesan bishops.

Legacy of a Shepherd

Born on April 17, 1935, Bishop Fagun was a prominent figure in the indigenization of the Nigerian liturgy. He was ordained a priest on July 4, 1965, and made history as the pioneer Bishop of the then-newly created Diocese of Ekiti in 1972, serving until his retirement in 2010.

His contributions include the notable translation of the psalms and the Sunday Missal into the Yoruba language, making the faith more accessible to the local populace.

In a statement announcing his passing, the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Kehinde Temitope Ajayi, celebrated Bishop Fagun’s “glorious exit” and called on all to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul, urging the faithful to find comfort and strength in his enduring legacy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, Bishop Francis Adesina are among the high-profile leaders who have extended their condolences, describing the late Bishop as a committed soldier of faith and a legend whose selfless service and humility will be greatly missed.