Fr. James passed away on September 25, 2007 after more than 38 years in Nigeria.
Cardinal Anthony Okogie, the archbishop of Lagos, a close friend of his celebrated a Requiem Mass at the Lagos Cathedral when Fr. James died.
This year also, he has decided to celebrate a public Mass on the first anniversary of his death. The Mass will take place at 11 am, on Wednesday 24 September, 2008 at St. Agnes Catholic Church Maryland, Lagos.