Pope Francis has sworn in Peter Okpaleke, Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra state, as a cardinal.
The swearing in took place on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
The college of cardinals is a body of senior priests who support the pope in overseeing the affairs of the church, and they also vote during papal elections.
Okpaleke who is among the 20 new cardinals of the church is one of two African bishops and the only Nigerian sworn in.
The new cardinals are an addition to the college of cardinals which has now grown from 208 to 229.
Prior to being appointed as cardinal, TheCable had reported how Okpaleke resigned as bishop from the Ahiara diocese in Imo state after being rejected because he was not an indigene.
Opaleke is the fifth cardinal from Nigeria — others are Dominic Ekandem (now late), John Onaiyekan, Anthony Okogie and Francis Arinze.
The swearing in took place on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
The college of cardinals is a body of senior priests who support the pope in overseeing the affairs of the church, and they also vote during papal elections.
Okpaleke who is among the 20 new cardinals of the church is one of two African bishops and the only Nigerian sworn in.
The new cardinals are an addition to the college of cardinals which has now grown from 208 to 229.
Prior to being appointed as cardinal, TheCable had reported how Okpaleke resigned as bishop from the Ahiara diocese in Imo state after being rejected because he was not an indigene.
Opaleke is the fifth cardinal from Nigeria — others are Dominic Ekandem (now late), John Onaiyekan, Anthony Okogie and Francis Arinze.