The Catholic Broadcast Commission of Nigeria (CBCN) has shared that only one Nigerian cardinal can take part in choosing the next Pope.
In a recent Facebook post, CBCN announced that Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, who is 62 years old and currently the Bishop of Ekwulobia, is the only Nigerian cardinal allowed to vote in a papal conclave. Out of four Nigerian cardinals, he is the only one who meets the age requirement to vote for a new Pope.
The other three Nigerian cardinals are over the age limit, which makes them ineligible to take part in the election process.
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’.”
Meanwhile, Pope Francis has been facing serious health challenges. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to breathing problems, which later developed into double pneumonia. The Pope, who had part of his lung removed when he was younger, spent 38 days in the hospital — the longest stay of his papacy.
Despite his health condition, he appeared on Easter Sunday to bless the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, just a day before his passing.
