By our Reporter
The Catholic community has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Nigerian priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Oli, in the United States.
Fr. Oli reportedly collapsed while taking a walk on Thursday, March 26, 2026, and was later confirmed dead. His passing was announced in a statement issued by the Catholic Diocese of Awka and signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi.
Until his death, the cleric served as Administrator of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Faith, South Dakota. He was ordained into the priesthood on August 23, 2008.
Further confirmation came from Scott Bullock of the Rapid City Diocese, who described the incident as sudden and shocking.
The bishop disclosed that an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, noting that the priest had reportedly been unwell prior to the incident.
“At this point, we do not know the cause of death, only that he hadn’t been feeling well,” he said.
He also urged priests within the diocese to offer Masses for the repose of the late cleric’s soul in accordance with Catholic tradition.
