With many travails besetting the Nigerian nation, August 27, 2022 stood out as a date to cheer and remember. It was a day the Christian faith, Catholics in particular had one of their own, Most Rev. Peter Okpaleke, Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese elevated as a Cardinal alongside other Bishops from other parts of the globe. This development is indeed, a landmark achievement and soul lifting, especially at this time in the history of our country when Christians and indeed, the Catholic Church in Nigeria are being persecuted and going through existential threats, including countries where Christianity is practiced, from the enemies of the Christian faith. With the appointment of Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, Nigeria now has four Cardinals living, aside from Cardinal Dominic Ekandem of blessed memory, viz; Francis Cardinal Arinze, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, with Peter Cardinal Okpaleke as the youngest of them all, both in age and priesthood. Peter Ebere Okpaleke was born in March 1963 in Amesi, Anambra State, South east Nigeria.
He was educated at local schools in the state (Anambra), and in 1983 he enrolled at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot Ekpene and Enugu where he studied Philosophy and theology from 1983 to 1992. The Cardinal designate also studied canon law in Rome at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Awka on August 22, 1992. For 30 years after his ordination, he held a wide range of pastoral and administrative positions, including University Chaplain, Parish priest, Diocesan Finance Administrator, Diocesan Chancellor, a member and Secretary of the Diocesan board. His calling as a priest had been mired in circumstances that almost brought the Church to a standstill, and of course, his first baptism of fire as a high ranking clergy, when on December 7, 2012, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Ahiara Diocese where he was rejected by the locals, including priests from the area.
The drama continued for months, even the intervention of the then Governor of the state, Chief Rochas Okorocha for amicable settlement of the matter could not assuage the people who were bent on having him removed by the Pope. On February 19, 2018, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Okpaleke as Bishop of Ahiara, and after two years, he was again appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Ekwulobia, a newly created diocese in Anambra State. One significant thing that happened throughout the period of trials and tribulations of the Bishop was the only statement credited to him contained in his resignation letter to the people; “Repentance and reconciliation are urgent” Yes, all these happened in the past with the hope also that pardon and forgiveness may have been granted, but one key thing to take away is that, the Church is not a place for disobedience by priests or lay faithful under any situation. It is also important to point out here that the elevation of our own this time that Churches in Nigeria are under serious attack means that, there is hope for the Christian faith and that there is light on the horizon, no matter the plans of the enemy for Nigeria.
Bishop Okpaleke (or now Cardinal Okpaleke) may appear like the proverbial rejected stone that has become the chief corner stone in this instance. One thing that cannot be denied is that the man belongs to the category of those priests who, despite their trials remained focused on their vocation because of the reward promised for every good works by the one who called them, Jesus, who is the High Priest. Interesting also, the bishop did not consider his life limited by what happened in his Ahiara Diocese, but endured and offered everything that came his way to the Master who is the right and perfect Judge. This kind of attitude and candor should be emulated, especially by all men in cassocks, old and young because of the thistles and thorns everywhere on the way.
The time our country is living in calls for such men and women with strong faith, ready to go the extra mile even when they are wronged by the people under their care. While we congratulate and celebrate Cardinal Okpaleke for his elevation, we pray that his devotion to Jesus, the High Priest who called him would deepen supplications for our country, Nigeria and the world, increased prayers for the Christian faith, especially, the Catholic Church through which his vocation was made manifest be sustained in faith and devotion. The Catholic Herald Newspaper also congratulates other Cardinals from different parts of the world appointed this time by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, with the hope that their elevation to this high office will bring succour and transformation to the troubled world and the people, forever and ever!
