“Bishop Ayo-Maria, man of prayer, preacher of truth, father to his priests and people,” says Archbishop Martins
Archbishop Martins described Bishop Atoyebi as “a man of prayer, a preacher of truth, and a father to his priests and people.” He highlighted the bishop’s remarkable devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, living the Marian spirituality of Totus Tuus.SSPP Bodija
The Catholic community in Nigeria bid a final farewell to Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, Emeritus Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, who passed away on March 8, 2025, at the age of 80. A funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Ilorin, on 28 March, 2025, celebrated by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, while Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins delivered a heartfelt homily.
Archbishop Martins described Bishop Atoyebi as “a man of prayer, a preacher of truth, and a father to his priests and people.” He highlighted the bishop’s remarkable devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, living the Marian spirituality of Totus Tuus.
“Bishop Ayo-Maria was a man of prayer, a preacher of truth, and a father to his priests and people,” Archbishop Martins said. “He lived for Christ and for the people entrusted to him. Preaching for Bishop Ayo-Maria was never about eloquence but about conviction.”
The Archbishop also shared a personal anecdote, revealing that he visited Bishop Atoyebi the day before his passing and found him calm and peaceful. “He looked like a man who had settled his accounts, packed his bags, and was only waiting for his train to arrive,” Archbishop Martins said.
Archbishop Martins emphasized that Bishop Atoyebi’s life was a testament to his faith and commitment to serving God and humanity. “He was a teacher of faith, not merely because he had studied theology at the Angelicum in Rome, but because he had learnt holiness at the feet of Christ.”
The Archbishop also noted that Bishop Atoyebi’s life reflected the beatitudes, saying, “He was a man who embodied the virtues of humility, devotion to God, compassion, and leadership.” The preacher therefore urged the faithful to emulate Bishop Atoyebi’s example, saying, “May we be inspired to live our lives in accordance with the purpose for which God created us, to know, love, and serve Him.”
During his tenure as bishop, he was known for his efforts to promote Marian devotions, initiating an annual Marian pilgrimage program. He was also a member of the theological commission of the International Marian Association.
Bishop Atoyebi’s legacy will be remembered for his tireless efforts to deepen Eucharistic and Marian devotions, as well as his commitment to the Precious Blood and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. He will be deeply missed by the Catholic community, but his impact will continue to inspire future generations.
The funeral Mass was attended by John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who is the immediate predecessor of Bishop Ayo-Maria. There were mnay bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful from across the diocese and beyond. Bishop Atoyebi was laid to rest in the cathedral crypt.
Bishop Atoyebi was born on December 3, 1944, in Okerimi-Oro, now in Kwara State, Nigeria. He was ordained a priest on December 17, 1978, and later appointed as the Bishop of Ilorin Diocese on March 6, 1992, where he served for 27 years before retirement.
Culled from Nigeria Catholic Network