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OKPALAEKE, ONLY NIGERIAN CARDINAL WHO CAN VOTE FOR NEW POPE
Following the death of Pope Francis, a papal conclave will soon be held to elect a new pope.
The pope passed away on Easter Monday, a day after delivering a blessing to thousands in St. Peter’s Square. Once Pope Francis is laid to rest, the dean of the College of Cardinals,
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will have between 15 and 20 days to gather the cardinals in Rome for the conclave.
A total of 137 cardinal electors will participate in the meeting at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, where they will vote to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.
According to reports, the context of the upcoming conclave, it has been confirmed that Nigeria is represented by one elector and three non-elector cardinals.
The sole Nigerian elector is Peter Okpaleke, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia in Anambra State.
Okpaleke was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022. The other Nigerian cardinals, Francis Arinze (92), John Onaiyekan (81), and Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (88)—are not eligible to vote in the election, though they can still participate in the discussions surrounding the selection of the new pope.
Peter Okpaleke, born on March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Anambra State, has had a distinguished career in the church. He became Bishop of Ekwulobia on April 29, 2020.
Prior to this, he was appointed Bishop of Ahiara in 2012 but faced resistance from the local clergy and laity, who preferred an Mbaise bishop.
This led to his appointment in Ekwulobia. Okpaleke was created a cardinal by Pope Francis on August 27, 2022, and was assigned the title of Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno.
Okpaleke’s formation began in local schools before he attended the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu from 1983 to 1992, studying philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest in 1990 for the Diocese of Awka.
Throughout his priestly life, Okpaleke held various positions, including Assistant Secretary to the Bishop (1992-1995), Financial Administrator (1997-1999), and Diocesan Chancellor (2002-2011).
He also served in pastoral roles, including as Assistant Chaplain at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Parish Priest of Ss. John and Paul Umubele Awka from 2011 to 2013.
Okpaleke is a member of the Canon Law Society of Nigeria, having served as its Co-ordinator for Research and Publications from 2009 to 2013.
Currently, he chairs the Canon Law Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. His leadership and experience will play a key role in the upcoming conclave.
