Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra state, Peter Okpaleke has be sworn as a cardinal.
He was part of the 20 new cardinals sworn in on Saturday by by the Pope 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.
Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Anambra Governor Professor Charles Soludo congratulated the bishop of Ekurovia on Saturday.
In a message on his Twitter account, Peter Obi said Cardinal Okupareke was a great blessing not only to the church in Nigeria, but to the church as a whole.
“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.”
Soludo, in a statement by his press secretary, Christian Aburime, described “The elevation as a befitting reward for the Bishop who over the years, has shown exemplary conduct in the service of God through great personal sacrifices and outstanding contributions to ecumenical services in the Church.”
Both Soludo and Obi were in the Vatican City for Okpaleke’s swearing in.