The Governor of Anambra state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Saturday, described the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, as a blessing to the church.
Soludo was in Rome, in company with his wife Nonye and a couple of other state officials where they attended the ceremony at St Peter’s Square Vatican City, in honour and solidarity with Okpaleke who received the Red Hat from Catholic Pontiff, His Holiness, Pope Francis, at a Consistory.
In his congratulatory message, Soludo expressed joy that one of the newly Cardinals named by Pope Francis is a Nigerian and ftom Anambra specifically.
Soludo described the elevation as a befitting reward for the Bishop who over the years, had shown exemplary conduct in the service of God through great personal sacrifices and outstanding contributions to ecumenical services in the church.
He said- “With this elevation, Cardinal Okpalaeke becomes the only active Cardinal in Nigeria and also the highest in rank among Nigerian clergy men.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Anambra State, I pray that God would grant Cardinal Okpalaeke more strength, sound health and wisdom to excel in his new assignment in the vineyard of God.”