The Parish Priest of St James Catholic Church, Gombe, Rev. Father John Keane, SMA, has passed away after a brief illness, sparking an outpouring of grief across the Catholic community and the state.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya expressed deep sorrow over the cleric’s passing in a condolence message issued on Friday, October 17, 2025, by his Director-General of Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli.

Rev. Father Keane, fondly called “Chocin Fada” by parishioners in the Herwagana area of Gombe metropolis, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Governor Yahaya described the late priest as “a devoted clergyman whose life of service to God and humanity touched many lives and will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

He added that Father Keane’s death is “a great loss, not only to the parishioners of St James Catholic Church and the Bauchi Diocese, but also to the entire Christian community and the nation at large.”

The governor urged the Catholic faithful to uphold the priest’s spiritual and moral legacies, noting that his humility, compassion, and dedication left a lasting impact on many.

Governor Yahaya prayed for the peaceful repose of Rev. Father Keane’s soul and for God to grant the Catholic community, his parishioners, and associates the fortitude to bear the loss.