Catholic priest dies of COVID-19 complications in Enugu

Joachim Cabanyes, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, has died of COVID-19 complications.

Nkemjika Igweshi, secretary to Callistus Onaga, bishop of Enugu diocese, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.

He has been buried according to the safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to NAN, the priest died at the isolation centre of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

Cabanyes, a Spanish priest of the Opus Dei prelature, served the Nigerian church for more than 20 years.

On his LinkedIn profile, the deceased joined the Catholic priesthood in June 1985, and also had a degree in biochemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autonoma de Madrid).

“He was such a nice, easy-going, cordial, generous, prayerful, and dedicated pastor,” the statement read.

“He hailed from Spain, but loved our people so much and always attended our diocesan functions.

“His body has just been laid to rest, following the NCDC guidelines.

“Please, as we pray for his peaceful repose, let us know that COVID-19 is real and we will do well to observe all the necessary health precautions and safety measures.”

The Opus Dei community in Canada also confirmed the death, which it said occurred on Thursday, via its Twitter handle.

“Fr. Joachim Cabanyes of Opus Dei died [of] COVID in Enugu, Nigeria. He was from Madrid. On Wed, he was rushed to isolation center as he needed oxygen. He was anointed. On Thurs, he seemed better but all of a sudden at 9:00am, things changed dramatically & by 10:15am, he had died,” the post read.

Fr. Joachim Cabanyes of Opus Dei died to COVID in Enugu, Nigeria. He was from Madrid. On Wed he was rushed to isolation center as he needed oxygen. He was anointed. On Thurs he seemed better but all of a sudden at 9:00am things changed dramatically & by 10: 15 am, he had died. pic.twitter.com/0HfxqpMCcD

— Opus Dei Canada (@opusdei_canada) July 18, 2020