Hear Fr Charles Ebele in the face of "Flood challenge":

In the days leading to his death, Fr Charles Ebele exchanged several WhatsApp messages with Bishop Denis Isizoh. Here, he recounts his experiences as River Niger overflows its bank and is quickly spreading in Olumbanasaa islands. 

And read Bishop Isizoh's last chat with Fr Charles Ebele... See my Daily Pastoral Journal entries from 7 to 15 September 2018.

TODAY, 3 OCTOBER 2018: Body of our hero and brother was found near Umuikwu, along River Niger. After a very long, tedious and risky search down the River Niger to the creeks in Bayelsa State, the body never left our territory anyway. After all efforts, God heard our prayers and made it easy to find him. The body was found in totally decomposed state. His figure was maintained. Even in a decomposed state, we were able to affirm that the face was his. He was further identified by the boxer which did not wash off his body. Those close to him all agreed that it was him. I saw the photo and I confirmed that it was him. The morticians who accompanied to prepare his body also affirmed that the body was his. He was then put in a large sack for transporting the dead. They brought him back to the "Marine" end of the river Niger just behind Holy Trinity Cathedral Onitsha. Then they put him in a casket already provided. All medical experts discouraged keeping this decomposed body till the next day. It was taken to the cemetery and was buried just before 8.00pm. Fr Prudentius Aroh must be praised for taking the lead in the whole search.
          Requiem Mass was organised at 9.00pm. Those close by were able to attend. Here are some of the photos:

Grave of Rev. Fr Charles Ebele RIP
Night of 3 October 2018, soon after the burial
Final resting place in the Priests' Cemetery, Onitsha

HOLY MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, ONITSHA
by Archbishop Val Okeke & Bishop Denis Isizoh with many Concelebrating Priests
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F a c e s  of  p a i n  &  c o u r a g e, w i t h   f a i t h   a n d   h o p e!