JUST IN: Catholic Bishop Emeritus, Julius , D!es at 91
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has lost one of its most respected and enduring figures — the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Julius Babatunde Adelakun — who passed away peacefully at the age of 91. His de@th was announced on Saturday, October 25, 2025, by the Bishop of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, who described the late prelate as “a man of unshakable faith, great humility, and a servant whose life was entirely consumed by the mission of Christ.”
According to Bishop Badejo’s statement, Bishop Adelakun died on Friday, October 24, 2025, after what was described as “a long and fulfilled life of grace and service.” Funeral arrangements, he said, would be communicated in due course, but the Diocese has already begun a week-long period of prayer and remembrance for the repose of his soul.
“Bishop Julius Babatunde Adelakun lived a full and impactful life. His pastoral witness touched multitudes, his teachings shaped minds, and his generosity uplifted souls,” Bishop Badejo said. “He shepherded the Diocese of Oyo with dedication and faithfulness for over three decades, leaving behind a legacy that will remain evergreen in the hearts of the faithful.”
Born on November 4, 1934, in the ancient city of Oyo in southwestern Nigeria, Julius Adelakun’s life was one of deep spirituality, discipline, and devotion. His formative years were spent under the watchful guidance of early Catholic missionaries who had begun to establish a stronghold of faith in the Yoruba-speaking region.
Adelakun attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Oyo, where his brilliance and humility soon caught the attention of his teachers and parish priests. Inspired by the lives of the missionary fathers who taught him, he decided early that his life’s calling was to serve the Church.
He proceeded to the seminary and was later ordained a Catholic priest on June 27, 1965, a time when Nigeria was undergoing political upheaval and rapid social transformation. Yet, in those turbulent years, Adelakun’s voice stood firm as a moral compass, calling for peace, forgiveness, and unity among Nigerians.
Just eight years after his ordination as a priest, he was appointed Bishop of Oyo on February 11, 1973, by Pope Paul VI, becoming one of the youngest bishops in Nigeria at the time. His appointment came at a crucial moment when the Catholic Church in Oyo was transitioning from missionary leadership to indigenous authority. Bishop Adelakun’s leadership thus became symbolic of a new era of African ecclesiastical independence — one that valued both local culture and universal Catholic tradition.
For 36 years, Bishop Adelakun led the Diocese of Oyo — from April 13, 1973, until his retirement on November 4, 2009. During this long tenure, he became a pillar of moral authority not only in the Church but also in the wider Nigerian society.
He was known for his unrelenting commitment to the pastoral and spiritual formation of priests, religious, and lay faithful. Under his leadership, the Oyo Diocese witnessed an expansion of parishes, schools, and health institutions. He prioritized catechetical education, evangelization in rural communities, and the empowerment of youth through education.
Bishop Adelakun was also known for his social teachings rooted in Catholic doctrine. He often preached about justice, integrity in public service, and compassion for the poor. During his episcopacy, he established programs that supported widows, provided scholarships to indigent students, and offered vocational training to unemployed youths.
His homilies, often delivered in both English and Yoruba, carried a blend of wisdom, wit, and gentle rebuke. Parishioners recall his ability to explain complex theological ideas through simple proverbs and relatable stories. “Bishop Adelakun could make even a child understand the mystery of the Eucharist,” one elderly parishioner recalled.
Bishop Adelakun’s episcopal mission coincided with a time when Nigeria was undergoing vast cultural and political transitions — from military rule to democracy, from rural religiosity to urban secularism. Yet, he remained a steady guide, reminding his flock that faith and culture were not enemies but partners in the search for truth.
He often encouraged the use of indigenous languages in liturgy and supported cultural expressions of faith that respected Catholic orthodoxy. “We must not abandon who we are in trying to worship God,” he once said at a diocesan celebration in 1984. “Rather, we must bring who we are to the altar, so that our worship may be authentic.”
His stance earned him admiration from local traditional rulers and community leaders, who saw in him a cleric deeply rooted in his people’s identity. Over the decades, Bishop Adelakun became a trusted voice in interfaith and interethnic dialogue, often mediating in disputes and promoting peace among religious communities in Oyo and neighboring states.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Adelakun emphasized the importance of servant leadership. He lived modestly, often refusing luxury in favor of pastoral simplicity. His residence in Oyo was known for its open-door policy — priests, seminarians, and parishioners could visit freely to seek counsel or prayer.
Even after his retirement in 2009, Bishop Adelakun continued to mentor younger clergy and offer spiritual direction. His relationship with his successor, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, was described as “one of friendship and fatherhood.” The two often appeared together at diocesan events, symbolizing continuity and unity in leadership.
In his retirement, Bishop Adelakun remained an active voice in Catholic intellectual circles, contributing to discussions on evangelization, social ethics, and the role of the Church in Africa’s development. He often stressed that “a Church that forgets the poor has forgotten Christ,” urging priests to go beyond the altar and engage in works of mercy.
Since the announcement of his passing, tributes have continued to pour in from across Nigeria and beyond.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, described Bishop Adelakun as “a faithful shepherd who loved his people, led by example, and finished his course with honor.”
In a condolence message, the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, wrote: “Bishop Adelakun was a father figure to many of us who came after him. His commitment to the pastoral mission of the Church was unwavering. He guided with wisdom and lived with integrity. His life remains an inspiration to every priest and lay faithful.”
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State also expressed sadness over the passing of the bishop, describing him as “a man who embodied peace and humility.”
In his statement, Makinde said: “Bishop Julius Adelakun lived an exemplary life of selfless service and dedication to humanity. His contributions to the moral and social development of Oyo State cannot be forgotten. He was not just a religious leader but also a father figure who preached unity and discipline.”
Many Catholics across the Oyo Diocese have been visiting the bishop’s residence and diocesan headquarters to sign condolence registers and offer prayers. Parish choirs have been holding nightly vigils with hymns that Bishop Adelakun loved, such as “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” and “Abiyamọ Tooto” (True Mother) — songs that, for many, encapsulate his spirit of devotion.
Even as old age set in, Bishop Adelakun never withdrew from the people. Until his final months, he continued to celebrate private Masses, pray with visiting parishioners, and attend important diocesan functions whenever his health allowed.
He was a man of discipline and deep contemplation, known for beginning his day with the Rosary at dawn and ending it with the Divine Office. Those close to him say he always carried a small crucifix in his pocket, a reminder that “a bishop’s strength is not in his title, but in the Cross of Christ.”
In his final public message during the Diocese’s 50th anniversary in 2023, Bishop Adelakun had said:
“I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith. If the Church in Oyo will remain strong, it is because her people continue to love one another, forgive one another, and serve God in truth.”
That message now reads like a farewell — a benediction to the diocese he nurtured with unwavering faith for nearly four decades.
Bishop Adelakun’s legacy includes several notable milestones. He was one of the first indigenous bishops to lead the Oyo Diocese, succeeding the Irish missionary Bishop Owen McCoy. Under his leadership, the diocese witnessed unprecedented growth in parishes and schools, particularly in the rural mission areas of Ogbomoso, Iseyin, and Kishi.
He established numerous Catholic primary and secondary schools, recognizing education as the surest path to human dignity and development. Through his advocacy, the diocese also built hospitals and clinics that served both Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Beyond his diocese, Bishop Adelakun served in several national and international roles. He was a member of the Administrative Board of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where he contributed to the Church’s social teachings and pastoral directives. He also represented Nigeria in global Catholic forums, including the Synod of Bishops in Rome, where he spoke on the challenges of faith and development in Africa.
Those who knew Bishop Adelakun describe him as a man of few words but great wisdom. His calm demeanor often concealed a steely resolve when defending the truth or advocating for justice. He was never afraid to speak truth to power, but he did so with grace.
During the turbulent years of military rule in Nigeria, Bishop Adelakun was one of the few clerics who consistently preached peace without fear. In his 1995 Lenten message, titled “Nigeria at the Crossroads of Conscience,” he wrote:
“A nation cannot stand when it abandons truth. Power without morality is oppression; faith without action is hypocrisy.”
This prophetic statement, made during General Sani Abacha’s regime, endeared him to pro-democracy advocates and the Nigerian laity who saw him as a moral bulwark in dark times.
Beyond his episcopal duties, Bishop Adelakun was a mentor to hundreds of priests and religious men and women. Many of them today serve in dioceses across Nigeria and abroad, carrying forward his teachings and example.
Fr. Peter Adegoke, one of his former seminarians, said: “Bishop Adelakun was a father who wanted all his sons to be holy, not famous. He told us often, ‘Your priesthood is not a career; it is a call to die a little each day for others.’”
His simplicity, approachability, and emphasis on holiness made him beloved by many. Even his laughter — gentle, contagious, and wise — became a part of his legacy.
As the Church in Oyo prepares to lay him to rest, the faithful are reminded of a shepherd who loved deeply, served faithfully, and finished well.
In a homily delivered at a memorial Mass, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo captured the essence of his predecessor’s life:
“He was a father who never stopped praying for his children. A shepherd who never abandoned his flock. A bishop who never lost sight of the Cross.”
Bishop Julius Babatunde Adelakun’s earthly journey has ended, but his spirit endures — in the schools he built, the priests he mentored, the faithful he guided, and the prayers he whispered for his beloved Oyo.
As candles are lit in cathedrals and chapels across the diocese, his memory will continue to inspire generations. His life was not just a chronicle of service, but a sermon lived out in humility and faith.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.