My appointment blessing to Nigeria – Onaiyekan

Cardinal Onaiyekan, who touched down at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, adorned his black suit with big crucifix which chain stretched from the neck to the belly. His shirt with the Roman collar was black.   The archbishop, who grinned intermittently, told the cheering faithful that thronged the airport to welcome him that many […]

Cardinal Onaiyekan, who touched down at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, adorned his black suit with big crucifix which chain stretched from the neck to the belly. His shirt with the Roman collar was black.

 

The archbishop, who grinned intermittently, told the cheering faithful that thronged the airport to welcome him that many more good things would come the way of Nigeria.

He described the promotion as the grace of God.

Among those who welcomed the archbishop were the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen; and Representative of Pope in Nigeria  (Papal Nuncio) Augustine Kasujja.

Also there to welcome the new Cardinal was the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

There was huge acclamation among Nigerians of diverse backgrounds when news broke that Onaiyekan and five other bishops across the globe will be made cardinal on Nov. 24, 2012.

A cardinal is next in rank to the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church. He is Pope’s adviser and can as well be elected pope.

Before Onaiyekan’s appointment, Nigeria had three cardinals: the late Ignatius Ekandem, Francis Arinze and Anthony Okojie.

A cardinal has the task of helping the Successor of Peter in the performance of his ministry of confirming the brethren in the faith and the principle and foundation of unity and communion of the church.”

The choice of a cardinal is prerogative of the pope.