Peter Obi, Soludo, congratulate Cardinal Okpaleke (video)

Pope Francis has sworn in Cardinal Peter Ebere 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.

Read Also : #Obidatti023 : Peter Obi currently in Vatican city, Rome.

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.

‘OKPALEKE IS A BLESSING’

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP), was in attendance at the ceremony.

While congratulating Okpaleke, Obi said he has remained a blessing to the church and the country.

In a post on Twitter, Obi wrote: “I rejoice with His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke as he canonically receives the Red Hat from His Holiness, Pope Francis at a Consistory in Rome today, by which function, he has become a fully fledged Prince of the Universal Church.

“He has remained a blessing to not just the church in Nigeria, but the universal church. His patience, understanding and wide perspectives on issues remain some of his valuable assets that have continued to propel him higher in the priestly vocation.”

Charles Soludo, Anambra governor, who was present at the ceremony, said it is a special day for the state.

“Those of us from Anambra have come to celebrate with him and welcome him as he receives the red hat,” Soludo said.

Okpaleke is the fifth cardinal from Nigeria — others are Dominic Ekandem (now late), John Onaiyekan, Anthony Okogie and Francis Arinze.

See video When Ekwulobia was mentioned to the world…. Anambra State is truly blessed..

See beautiful images from Rome..

My Nigerian people can’t disappoint….. 😂 They sew Ashebi go Rome… 

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Echezonam Ibezim Jk

A chemical engineer with cognitive flair for creative writing . He writes for fun and renders his reportage humorously to keep you entertained . His avid love for food inspires him the most as he hopes to make his blog a real entertainment hub.

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