By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor,
has described the creation of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia (CADEK) as His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke on the 27th of August 2022 in faraway Rome, Italy, as divinely ordained and arranged.
Bishop who stated this while congratulating the latest Cardinal, said he (Okpaleke) remained a shining light not only to the Church in NIgeria, but to also the Universal Church.
'I am highly delighted. I am happy for Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, on the occasion of his creation as a new cardinal, by His Holiness, Pope Francis, at a Consistory in Rome, Italy.
'On behalf of the entire Priests, Religious and laity of Catholic Diocese of Awka I say a big Γ§ongratulations to the newest Cardinal. We will continue to pray for him.
'We are happy for the newly created Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, after he received the red hat from Pope Francis in Rome on August 27, 2022. It calls for constant prayers,' Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Some of the personalities that graced the occasion at St. Peter’s Basilica for the reception at the creation of Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke include the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Okeke; Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji; the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor; Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye; the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev Denis Isizoh, Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, among others.
