The late Fr. Richard Ikechukwu DIALA, CM was born on the 15th of February, 1954 to the family of late Innocent Diala and late Bernadette Diala of Umuaku Akunangara Ogwuama Ihenweorie in Ahiara Ahiazu, Mbaise LGA, Imo State. He was the third of the eight children of this family. After his primary and secondary School education, Fr. Richard got a job with former Eastern State Broadcasting Service Enugu in 1974, which he later gave up to answer the call of God as Priest in the Congregation. He was received into St. Justin Internal Seminary Ogobia, Benue State on the 27th of September, 1975. In September 1976, he began his Philosophical studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu and sat for the B.Phil degree examination in June 1979. In September 1979, he began his Theological studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, which he completed in 1983 and obtained a B. D in Theology. On 16th July, 1983, he was ordained a Priest at Ikot Ekpene by Dominic Cardinal Ekandem. His first priestly assignment was at St. Justin Internal Seminary, Ogobia, Benue State, where he served as Assistant Novice Master from 1983 to 1984. In 1984, he was appointed Assistant Director, Mission and Retreat in Nigeria. Fr. Diala completed his postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Jos from 1984 to 1986. In 1987, he became the Director of Retreats and Mission in Nigeria. In 1989, he was appointed the Parish Priest of St. George Parish, Oraifite and the Principal of Mater Dei Secondary School, Oraifite. While working in Oraifite, he obtained his master’s Degree in Education, with specialization in Guidance and Counselling in 1990. In 1993, he proceeded to Rome where he studied Youth Pastoral Theology and Catechetics at the Pontifical Salesian University. In 1996 he bagged his licentiate. In 1997, he did the initial Clinical Pastoral Education Programme at the Sisters of Charity Hospital, Buffalo, New York, as part of his research on the effect of prayer on medical healing, and relationship between them. He obtained his doctorate in 1998, with specialization in Evangelization. While in Rome, he was the President of the Association of Nigeria Priests and Religious from 1994 to 1995. In 1998, he returned to Nigeria and was appointed the Director of Catechists and Pastoral leadership training centre Ogobia, the Local Superior of the community, a member of the Vice —Provincial council and the Director of Retreats and Mission in Nigeria. While working in the Diocese of Otukpo, he was appointed the Vicar for the Religious, Dean of Adoka Deanary, member of the Diocesan Board of consultors, Director of religious education and the Chaplain of Catechists and special ministers of the Eucharist. In 2001, he was appointed the Local Superior of Enugu. He was the Chairman of on- going formation and the councillor in charge of Vincentian Educational institution and lecturer at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, where he taught Catechetics and Homiletics between 2002 and 2006. He was also the National Spiritual Director of the Ladies of Charity between 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he was appointed Director of Vincentian Retreat Centre, Ojodu, Lagos and the Local Superior of the community. In 2005, he was a lecturer to the Catechists at St. Augustine’s College of Education, Akoka Lagos where he taught Catechetics, inculturation and Liturgy. In 2008, Fr. Richard was posted to the United Kingdom for pastoral assignment. He did a three months orientation programme at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Peckham. In 2009, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Anselm Catholic Church, Dartford. He became the Parish Priest of St. Benet Catholic Church, Abbey Wood, London, United Kingdom from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, he was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Peckham, London till 2018. In 2018, he returned to Nigeria and was appointed the Parish priest of St. Kizito’s parish Kuje Abuja where he worked for few months. In 2019, he became the Director of De Paul Nursery and Primary School, Maryland, Enugu and also the Administrator of St. Vincent De Paul Hospital, Maryland, Enugu, till his demise. Fr Richard loved music. He stood for justice and had great love for the poor and needy. He was a good listener, a dynamic preacher, principled and a selfless priest. We will all miss you; though a loss for us here, but a gain for heaven. We pray God to grant you life in all fullness!

Rest in Christ till we meet to part no more