Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos
The Catholic Church possesses a rich and venerable treasury of liturgical rites through which she accompanies her children from this earthly pilgrimage into eternity. Among the most solemn and evocative is the rite popularly called the “Absolution”, especially at the funerals of Archbishops, Bishops, Cardinals and Popes. Properly speaking, in the contemporary Roman Rite, this is the Rite of Final Commendation and Farewell. It is not sacramental absolution, as received in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but the Church’s solemn commendation of her departed child to the mercy of God before the body is taken to the place of burial.
The practice of praying for the dead is ancient in the Church. From the earliest centuries, Christians offered prayers and the Eucharistic Sacrifice for the departed, entrusting them to the mercy of God and affirming their continuing communion with the Church. Over the centuries, these ancient practices developed into the solemn funeral rites that the Church celebrates today.
At the funeral of a Bishop or Archbishop, the rite acquires a particularly profound ecclesial character. The Church is not merely bidding farewell to a private individual. She is accompanying one who, in life, bore the sacred responsibility of teaching, sanctifying and governing a particular Church.
The rite itself is rich in symbolism. The coffin is sprinkled with holy water, recalling Baptism and the Christian’s incorporation into the death and Resurrection of Christ. Incense is then offered over the coffin, expressing the dignity of the human body and symbolising the prayers of the Church rising before God. The Church then offers the solemn prayer of Final Commendation, entrusting the deceased to the mercy of the Lord and expressing her unwavering hope in the Resurrection.
At solemn episcopal funerals, another feature that often heightens the sacred drama is the singing of the ancient hymn “Libera me, Domine”, “Deliver me, O Lord”. Its haunting plea captures the Church’s profound awareness of human mortality and her confidence in divine mercy.
Historical precedents make this moment particularly fascinating. At the funeral of Archbishop John Aggey of the Archdiocese of Lagos, five Prelates took part in the solemn rite of absolution following the singing of the “Libera me, Domine”. They included the Papal Delegate, Archbishop Francis Arinze of Onitsha, Archbishop McCarthy of Kaduna, Bishop Dotse of Togo, Bishop Dempsey of Sokoto and Bishop Patrick Kelly of Benin City (Obanla, 2022).
At the funeral of Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, the first indigenous Archbishop of Benin City, the rite was performed by John Cardinal Onaiyekan at the request of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze. That historical detail now carries an extraordinary poignancy. The Archbishop who once requested the Final Commendation for his predecessor will himself now lie before the altar, awaiting the prayers and commendation of the Church.
Who, then, will perform the “Absolution” for Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze?
That is one of the solemn moments the faithful will watch for at the Funeral Mass. Given the ecclesial dignity of the deceased and the presence of Bishops and other Prelates, the moment will undoubtedly possess a remarkable expression of episcopal fraternity and ecclesial communion.
But the “Absolution” does not stand alone. It forms part of the Church’s larger funeral rites. There is the Reception of the Body, the Vigil or Office for the Dead, the Funeral Liturgy, and Farewell, the Funeral Cortege and finally the Rite of Committal. Each has its proper place and symbolism. The Eucharist remains the heart of the Funeral Liturgy, while the Final Commendation constitutes the Church’s solemn farewell before the body is taken for burial.
And when the incense rises, the holy water is sprinkled and the final commendation is pronounced, the Church will not be declaring that everything has ended. She will be proclaiming the Christian hope that death is not the final word, because Christ has conquered death and opened for His faithful the gates of eternal life.
CORRIGENDUM
In an earlier report on the arrival of the mortal remains of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, I stated, partly, that the remains arrived through Benin City Airport. I hereby correct that information. The remains arrived through the Air Force Base, Benin City, and not through Benin City Airport. I sincerely regret the error and appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight.
OBSEQUIES FOR ARCHBISHOP AUGUSTINE OBIORA AKUBEZE
Wednesday, August 12, 2026: Vigil Mass at Holy Cross Cathedral, Mission Road, Benin City, at 5.00 p.m, 10pm, 1a.m, 3a m & 5a.m
Thursday, August 13, 2026: Funeral Mass at St Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City, at 10.00 a.m.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him
May he rest in peace.
Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos
Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi
Lecturer, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt
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