Bishop Peter Okpaleke the Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra state has officially joined the college of Cardinals.
He was named as one of the 21 new cardinals of the Catholic Church by Pope Francis on Sunday May 29, at the conclusion of the Regina Coeli, a prayer said by Catholics.
In the new list of newly ordained cardinals, 8 are from Europe, 6 from Asia, 2 from Africa, 1 from North America, and 4 from Central and Latin America.
The college of cardinals is a body of senior priests who support the pope in ruling over the affairs of the catholic church at large, and they also vote during papal elections.
The Pope was quoted saying;
“On Saturday, 27 August, I will hold a consistory for the creation of new cardinals. Let us pray that they will help me in my mission as bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s people.”
Meanwhile Pope Francis has revealed he will hold a a meeting of the council of cardinals [consistory] and special discussions on church matters on the new cardinals on August 27.