Pope Francis: Okpaleke only Nigerian Cardinal eligible to participate in the election of new Pope

The Catholic Broadcast Commission of Nigeria (CBCN) has announced that only one Nigerian cardinal is currently eligible to vote in the election of a new Pope.

In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, the CBCN identified His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, 62, Bishop of Ekwulobia, as the sole Nigerian cardinal qualified to participate in a papal conclave.

The commission explained that the other three Nigerian cardinals are ineligible due to age restrictions.

The statement read:

“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 80 years of age—both to vote for a new pope and to be voted for as Pope.

“Other Nigerian cardinals who cannot vote:
Francis Cardinal Arinze – 92
Anthony; Cardinal Okogie – 88
Cardinal John Onaiyekan – 81

“Why can’t cardinals over the age of 80 vote in a conclave? The Church excuses them from voting out of concern for the Cardinals themselves.

Selecting the Supreme Pontiff can be a great burden of responsibility, and especially so when one is advanced in age. These Cardinals instead take the role of supporting 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 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 years of age cannot take part in the preparatory meetings of the Conclave, 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 in 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’.”