Peter Ebere Okpaleke (born 1 March 1963) is a Nigerian prelate and cardinal of the Catholic Church who has been Bishop of Ekwulobia since 29 April 2020. He was appointed Bishop of Ahiara in 2012 and consecrated in 2013, but after the local clergy and laity insisted on an Mbaise bishop instead he was installed as bishop of Ekwulobia. He was later created a Cardinal in 2022 by Pope Francis on 27 August.
Peter Cardinal Okpalaeke is the Only Nigerian Cardinal Eligible to Participate in a Papal Conclave.
His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke (62) is the only Nigerian Catholic cardinal out of four cardinals currently eligible to participate (vote) in a papal conclave being under 80yrs of age—both to vote for a new pope and to be voted for as Pope.
Other Nigerian cardinals who cannot vote.
1. Francis Cardinal Arinze – 92
2. Anthony; Cardinal Okogie – 88
3. John Cardinal Onaiyekan – 81
WHY CAN’T CARDINALS OVER THE AGE OF 80 VOTE IN A CONCLAVES?
The Church excuses them from voting out of concern for the Cardinals themselves. Selecting the Supreme Pontiff can be a great burden of responsibility, especially so when one is advanced in age. These Cardinals instead support the electors by helping to lead the People of God in prayer during the election.
The reason for this provision is the desire not to add to the weight of such a venerable age the further burden of responsibility for choosing the one who will have to lead Christ’s flock in ways adapted to the needs of the times.
This does not, however, mean that the Cardinals over eighty cannot participate in the Conclave’s preparatory meetings in conformity with the norms set forth below.
During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, and especially during the election of the Supreme Pontiff, they, in particular, should lead the People of God assembled in the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome and other churches in the Dioceses throughout the world, supporting the work of the electors with fervent prayers and supplications to the Holy Spirit and imploring for them the light needed to make their choice before God alone and with concern only for the “salvation of souls, which in the Church must always be the supreme law”.
– Catholic Broadcast Commission, Nigeria
