The Partner Newspaper

The Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode stood still this week as clergy, religious, traditional rulers, and the lay faithful gathered in their thousands to bid a final, tearful farewell to the Very Rev. Fr. John Ashinwo. The two-day funeral rites, which began on Monday, March 23, 2026, culminated in a historic interment at the newly dedicated diocesan cemetery.

The ceremonies commenced on Monday afternoon as the remains of Fr. Ashinwo were moved from the Babcock University Teaching Hospital morgue to St. Timothy Catholic Church, Degun. The atmosphere was one of deep prayer, beginning with the Divine Mercy at 3:00 PM, followed by the Rosary and the Office of the Dead.

At 5:00 PM, the first Mass of the Christian Wake was celebrated, with the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Balogun, presiding as the Chief Celebrant. The homilist for the evening, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adetayo, delivered a spiritually charged reflection that shifted the focus from the sorrow of loss to the challenge of living. Moving away from the common rhetorical question of “who is next?”, Fr. Adetayo posed a more piercing inquiry to the congregation: “Who is left?”

“Fr. John lived before he died,” Fr. Adetayo remarked, citing the late priest’s tireless prayer life and generous spirit. “The question is no longer who is next to die, but who is left to live like Christ lived? Who is left to work like Christ worked? Who is left to love like Christ loved? Who is left to draw others to heaven?” Following the Mass, a solemn lying-in-state allowed the faithful to pay their last respects before a series of vigils and subsequent Masses continued through the night.

On Tuesday, March 24, the focus shifted to Christ the King Catholic College (CKCC), Odolewu, where Fr. Ashinwo had served with distinction as Principal. The Funeral Mass, which began at 10:00 AM, was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina. The homilist, Fr. Michael Ogunyinka, described the deceased as a “true brother” whose humility made him a joy to work with. He offered a sobering reminder of mortality, stating that while everyone will one day occupy a coffin, the true measure of a person is what is said of them thereafter. He urged his brother priests to appreciate and support one another in the present moment.

The Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Albert Igbodipe, expressed the Diocese’s gratitude to the Ashinwo family, the various traditional rulers in attendance, representatives from neighboring dioceses, and Fr. Ashinwo’s seminary classmates for their overwhelming support.

In a moving final address, Bishop Adesina shared his personal grief, noting that he had spoken with Fr. John only recently. He lamented that the Diocese had been eagerly preparing to celebrate Fr. John’s 25th Priestly Anniversary and 60th Birthday, but noted that “God has a different plan.” Addressing the late priest directly before the final commendation, the Bishop noted the symbolic nature of his passing: “Your death has opened a new pathway for us. You are first in many things, and now you are the first to be buried in the sacred land of the new Our Lady Queen of Peace Diocesan Cemetery. We shall meet at the feet of Jesus, where nothing will separate us again.”

Following the Mass, the funeral procession moved to the newly established Our Lady Queen of Peace Diocesan Cemetery, where Bishop Adesina performed the final interment. As St. john was lowered into the earth, the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode committed to the heavens a priest who was, by all accounts, a living blueprint of the Gospel.