…‘Why a Nigerian Pope is impossible now’
From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja
The appointment of John Onaiyekan, the Kabba, Kogi State-born cleric as cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, has again reopened a new vista for Nigeria in the universal Church. The question on the lips of Catholics and non-Catholics alike since the announcement of his elevation had been the issue of having a son of the soil as Pope. Until now, Nigeria and her Catholic Community had witnessed other appointments such as the elevation of the late Dominic Cardinal Ekandem (April 1976), Francis Cardinal Arinze (May 25, 1985), and Anthony Cardinal Okogie (October 21, 2003) to the College of Cardinals. A cardinal is regarded as a high-ranking cleric in the Roman Catholic Church and counselor of the Pope.
He joins other cardinals in the conclave to elect a new Pope and stands eligible to be elected if under the statutory age of 80. They are usually referred to as College of Cardinals and their duties had always been to attend the meetings of the body and assist the supreme Pontiff in the discharge of his duties. Daily Sun findings revealed that the Catholic Church had a total number of 211 living cardinals out of which 120 were cardinal electors (cardinals who are under 80 years of age and who are eligible to elect a new Pope). However, more than half, 62 precisely, are from the European countries, a situation which had attracted criticisms that cardinals no longer represent the Church.
With the additional six cardinals namely: James Michael Harvey (America), Bechara Boutros Rahi (Lebanon), Baselios Cleemis (India), Ruben Salazar Gomez (Columbia), Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) and John Onaiyekan (Nigeria), Latin America, which has half of the world Catholics now has 21 voting-age cardinals, with North America having 14, Africa 11, Asia 11 and Oceana one. In response to the criticism, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, during the Ordinary Public Consistory held at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, emphasized the universality of the Church, saying the Catholic Church belongs to the whole human race and not just for a group.
Speaking on the elevation of Onaiyekan in a recent interview with Daily Sun, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, said nearly all the members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), foresaw that Onaiyekan was a right candidate for the position in the Catholic Church. According to Okogie: “I must confess to you: when I was made a cardinal, I didn’t expect it. Nearly everyone in that our conference, I am confessing to you now, nearly everyone in that our conference foresaw that Cardinal Onaiyekan was a right candidate for that post.”
But Okogie further said having a Nigerian Pope in no distant time might be a difficult task, even as he said that having a Pope from Nigeria was not impossible. He said: “You see, when I say no, emphatically, I mean and I mean it because it is not an easy thing to be a Pope, to start with.
It is not an easy thing to be a Pope. It is not even an easy thing to be a bishop. Well, people always see the icing on the cake. So many priests would like to be a bishop but when they get there, then they know it is not easy.”
So it is easy for a whiteman to be a pope? Playing second fiddle is our mentally.
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Please our journalists and writers, if you do not know anything about something, do not write. live the Catholic Church alone. Keep your aspirations with you. His appointment is for the Pastoral good of the Universal Catholic Church in Nigeria. You are not qualified to make commentary/s on this issue. Even some CAN officials will think it is their own glory, no. There is nothing like the son of the soil in this case, keep your Nigerian politics and politicians with you. May God His Eminence. John Cardinal Onaiyekan of Nigeria Catholic Church.
Thank God for John Onaikom and Fortunatus Nwachukwu from Kogi and Abia state respectively. A Cardinal and an Archbishop-PAPAL Nuncio respectively. Abuja and Aba DIOCES respectively should rejoice. It is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes. It is not Politics but God’s election.
Congratulations to a worthy Nigerian Ambassador to the universal Catholic faith.
May God bless Ngieria.
Congratulations you are blessed
Congrats to all catholics.
@Okon, it is like you did not quite understand what Cardinal Okojie was saying about electing an african Pope in the nearest future.For purpose of clarity, his position in that regard is that considering the number of electable cardinals from Europe alone currently standing at 62 out of a total of 120, it might therefore not be that easy for Africa. Always read any piece very well and understand before comment.
@Okon, it is like you did not quite understand what Cardinal Okojie was saying about electing an african Pope in the nearest future.For purpose of clarity, his position in that regard is that considering the number of electable cardinals from Europe alone currently standing at 62 out of a total of 120, it might therefore not be that easy for Africa. Always read a piece very well and ensure thorough understanding before passing any comment.
Pls you people should not bring politics into the catholic church. The Pope is a holy position reserved for the people that deserve d post not politics
Congratulation my new cardinal. You are favoured
@Hon Chibuzo,Well said. This is not Nigerian politics were tribal and ethnic interests is made priority. God bless his church.
I do not think that Okon is a Catholic. The Church, her teachings and operations are shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church is not like our earthly political entity like Nigeria, where we bother about rotation, marginalization and federal character. By being difficult, Cardinal Okogie means(and that is the position) that it is God who selects His Pope, and not by human desires or consideration. The Church is not like the Penticostal Church where when the GO dies, we know that his wife automatically becomes the GO. So, Okon should not liken the Church to earthly polical entity.
@Ethelbert Opara…don’t be a moron. Cardinals elect the next Pope from among the electable ones – aged under 80. Okogie never said that God selects. There is a political calculation to who gets elected the next Pope. That calculus, per Okogie’s narrative, makes it difficult, not impossible, to elect any of the three Nigerian Cardinals Pope any time soon. Simply, they don’t have the votes. Europe will always trump them.
Just say the truth and forget ur denomination cos God looks at the heart
Pope selection is guided by spirit of God. I can recalled vividly how the current pope Radzinsky (pope Benedict) was chosen by the college of cardinals few years ago. A flame of fire descended on the head of the chosen cardinal. So the issue of numerical advantage is insignificant.
Naijaman, I can see that you are a BULLY. This is not a medium for you to insult somebody, irrespective of your opinion, please! The Holy Spirit guides/directs the action/choice of the Cardinals in the Conclave. Is it not God who says that with man, nothing is possible; but with Him God, all things are possible. God also says that our thought is not His thought; our ways are not His way. Remember that Cardinal Okogie also said that it is difficult for a priest to be appointed a Bishop. Appointment of Bishops is not by man-know-man – it is the choice of the Holy Spirit. Remember also that Cardinal Okogie said that his elevation to Cardinal was a surprise to him. To bring it further down, it is very difficult to be ordained a Catholic Priest – not all who make it to the Deaconate get ordained eventually. So, it is all mystery; it is the work of God and not that of man!
Whether black or white the Pope is the Pope of the universal church. Whoever becomes pope is the choice of the Holy Spirite not man. Habamus Papam!
this is a spiritual issue.
Congratulasion Africa is inproving more
Ethelbert Opara, shape your mouth or else you get urself into problem. what has pentecostal to do with the instant issues
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It is God hu chooses popes, cardinals, bishops n priests. Some people attended seminary school n ended up not being priests. Its Gods gift,any person it comes to let hm take it. We the catholic community dont c the papal ofice 4rm ethnic or racial prism. We r nt bothered about where the pope hails 4rom.we in ahiara dioces on 16 sept 2010 lost our bishop. Til nw we dont hav a bishop n we r praying 4 one. If it were politics we wud hav had one by now.ryt now the vicar of d dioces mosignor theophilus is dschargn the duties of d bishop.
Congratulations our dear Cardinal Onaiyekan and all other
Cardinals of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH , may almighty GOD grant you the wisdom to carry out your apostolic duties for good of all human race thruogh JESUS CHRIST our Lord Amen .
Anaele Justin You are a true Catholic and I really appreciate your comment , you are blessed .