Governor Chukwuma Soludo has congratulated the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, the Most Reverend Dr Peter Okpalaeke, on his appointment as Cardinal by His Holiness, Pope Francis.
At noon on Sunday after the recitation of the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis announced that at a Consistory scheduled for twenty-seventh August, he will create twenty-one new cardinals that will include Most Reverend Okpalaeke.
Reacting to the development, Governor Soludo said he is particularly excited that the canonical privilege is coming to his home Diocese and the generality of Anambra State, describing it as another indicator of excellence for which Anambra is renowned as the ‘Light of the Nation’.
In a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the Governor described the elevation as a befitting reward for Bishop Okpalaeke, whom he said has shown exemplary conduct in the service of God through great personal sacrifices and outstanding contributions to ecumenical services in the Church over the years.
The Governor noted that only two Africans, including Bishop Okpalaeke, are among the twenty-one Bishops elevated to the rank of Cardinals, adding that Bishop Okpalaeke was the second Cardinal from Anambra State after Francis Cardinal Arinze.
Born on the first day of March 1963 in Amaesi community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Bishop Okpalaeke was consecrated a Bishop on twenty-first May 2013, and created a Cardinal on twenty-nine May, 2022.
Governor Soludo, on behalf of the Government and good people of Anambra State, prayed God to grant Bishop Okpalaeke more strength, sound health and wisdom to excel in his new assignment in the vineyard of God.
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