UPDATE: LEONVILLE, La. (KLFY) – Officials have found the missing priest out of Leonville.
Father Julius Ohiaege went missing Easter Sunday when he didn’t return from dropping another priest off at the Lafayette Regional Airport.
Law enforcement found him on the side of I-49, north of Opelousas looking for his way back around 5:30 p.m. Monday evening.
“He was simply lost and anybody in a foreign country when you don’t understand the road system it’s quite understandable that could happen to you,” said Monsignor Curtis Mallet, vicar general to the Diocese of Lafayette.
“When he went to the airport he was given specific instructions, directions to and from. He made a wrong turn somewhere,” said Bobby Guidroz, St. Landry Parish Sheriff.
Ohiaege is a priest from Nigeria and doesn’t speak much English, according to Monsignor Mallet. He temporarily serves at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. This was his first time driving on American roads. Mallet says he stopped for gas twice and asked for directions.
“I think at times those confused him even more because the American highway system is different than the system in Nigeria and I think all the roads look the same,” Mallet said.
Officials say it was a Good Samaritan who found the missing priest after recognizing the white Toyota Camry he was driving. She then called law enforcement.
“He’s okay. Praise be to God. He’s well. We’re so grateful to law enforcement for looking out for him,” Mallet said.
According to the Lafayette Diocese, Father Ohiaege after his rescue said, “In every bad thing, there is something good, and I am grateful to everyone for their prayers and support.”
Officials returned Ohiaege to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church Monday evening.
ORIGINAL: Sheriff Bobby Guidroz tells News 10 Father Julius Ohiaege has been found safe.
He was lost driving on I-49. Deputies are currently returning him to Leonville.
The Diocese of Lafayette issued the following statement:
The Diocese of Lafayette is happy to announce this evening that Father Julius Ohiaege has been found and is safe. Father Ohiaege had been reported missing after he dropped off a fellow priest yesterday afternoon at the Lafayette Regional Airport and failed to return to St. Leo the Great Church in Leonville, where he is in temporary residence.
Father Ohiaege, who is a native of Nigeria, was attempting to make his way back to Leonville when he became lost, since it was the very first time he had driven on American roads. A Good Samaritan spotted his car earlier today and notified State Police, who helped him get his bearings and contact his friends and colleagues.
Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette extends his deepest thanks to everyone who helped in the search for Father Ohiaege, especially the local law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to help find him, along with all those who offered prayers for his safe return and for those who kept an eye out for Father on the roadways of Acadiana.
After his rescue, Father Ohiaege also extended his heartfelt thanks, saying “In every bad thing, there is something good, and I am grateful to everyone for their prayers and support.”
