By Charles Igwe
Tuesday, 21 May, 2024, marks the 11th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, held at Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary in Owerri. This milestone commemorates Cardinal Okpaleke’s significant contributions to the Church and his dedication to his pastoral duties.
Peter Ebere Okpaleke was born on March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Anambra State, Nigeria. He began his religious education at local schools and entered the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu in 1983, where he studied philosophy and theology until 1992. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Awka on August 22, 1992.
Following his ordination, Cardinal Okpaleke held numerous pastoral and administrative roles over two decades, including university chaplain, parish priest, diocesan finance administrator, diocesan chancellor, and member of various diocesan boards. He furthered his education in canon law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
On December 7, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Okpaleke as the Bishop of Ahiara, Nigeria. He was consecrated on May 21, 2013. On 5 March 2020, Pope Francis appointed Okpaleke the Bishop of the Diocese of Ekwulobia, a newly created diocese in Anambra State which formerly had its territory under the jurisdiction of Awka Diocese. His steadfast service and dedication to the Church were further recognized by Pope Francis, who elevated him to the rank of cardinal on August 27, 2022, assigning him the title of Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno.
