Nigerian-Born Cardinal Appointed As Member of Pontifical Council By Pope Francis

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has assigned Nigerian-born Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke to the Dicastery for Laity, the Family, and Life.

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria’s Abuja office’s National Director of Social Communications, Fr. Mike Umoh, made the announcement on Saturday, October 8, in a statement.

According to the statement, “The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life was established by Pope Francis on 15 August 2016 with the ‘Motu Proprio’ ‘Sedula Mater’, which describes the responsibilities and functions that previously pertained to the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family.”

Inaugurating the College of Cardinals on August 27, Pope Francis included Okpaleke among the 20 clergymen who were appointed.