CATHOLIC BISHOP REJECTED BY MBAISE, APPOINTED CARDINAL BY THE POPE
In line with Catholic tradition, Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke was posted by the Vatican to Ahiara Diocese, Mbaise Imo State to serve as a Bishop in 2012 and was consecrated in 2012. His appointment was greeted with fierce resistance by the clergy and laymen at Ahiara who insisted that they preferred a native Mbaise Bishop to serve in the Diocese.
Despite several interventions by the Holy Sea, Ahiara people remained adamant. Ironically, Priests of Mbaise descent supported this affront on the Church and its principles.
Unfortunately for Bishop Okpaleke who was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1990, he could not function as Bishop of Ahiara until 2019 when he was appointed the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese in Anambra State.
On May 29, 2022, after the recitation of the Regina Caeli, His Holiness Pope Francis announced that at a Consistory scheduled for August 27, 2022, he will create 21 new cardinals. His Lordship, Most Rev. Peter Ebere Okpaleke, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia has been named as one of those to be created Cardinals.
A Cardinal Okpaleke stands a chance of being elected a Pope in future as a Pope is mostly elected from the College of Cardinals.
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