Nigerians who could succeed Pope

L-R: • Pope Benedict XVI •Arinze • Onaiyekan • Okogie

As the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI throws the Catholic world into the search for a new leader, We looks at the profiles of three Nigerian cardinals who are qualified for consideration

The sudden resignation of Pope Benedict XVI as the head of the Catholic Church on Monday came to the Catholic world and many people around the world as a surprise. The reason is that although the old man’s reason for resignation is understandable, the decision is nevertheless an unusual one. The Pope cited ill-health prompted by old age as reason for his action. He is 85 years old.

Very important is also the fact that the action has thrown the Catholic world into a search for a successor. His resignation takes effect from February 28.  The Vatican,  in response to the development,  said a worthy successor would be elected before Easter. Now the ball is in the court of the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church to elect a new pope.

The College of Cardinal, which, as at February 8 this year, has 209 members, is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. A function of the college is to advise the Pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory (meeting). It also convenes on the death or resignation of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor. However, a cardinal that is 80 years and above would not be allowed to vote.

This is according to the current rules for the election of the Roman Pontiff, those in Pope John Paul II’s Universi Dominici Gregis of February 22, 1996. The rules state that cardinals who have reached the age of 80 before the day becomes vacant do not have a vote. By this rule, only 118 of the 209 members will be saddled with the responsibility of looking for Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has at least three popular cardinals – Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie and Cardinal John Onaiyekan. All the three could vote. Arinze,  who was born in November 1932,  will turn 80 in November this year. Okogie, retired at the mandatory retirement age of 75 last year,  while Onaiyekan was born in 1944.

However, since the new pope will emerge from among the conclave of cardinals, one of the questions that arise in the wake of the pope’s resignation is: can any of these Nigerians make history by becoming the first African or black person to attain this plum position?

Francis Arinze, who was born in Eziowelle, Anambra State, Nigeriaon November 1, 1932, is currently Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni (succeeding Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI) since 2005. Arinze was one of the principal advisors to Pope John Paul II, and was considered papabile before the 2005 papal conclave, which elected Benedict XVI. He was named a cardinal on May 25, 1985.

 Okogie was born on June 16, 1936 in Lagos. He hails from Uromi in Edo State. His father was Esan and his mother, Yoruba. Okogie was ordained as a priest on December 11,  1966. He holds a licentiate in sacred theology, and had planned to study in Rome, but was called to Nigeria where he was a pastoral assistant at the Holy Cross Cathedral. He was drafted into the Nigerian army, and served there as a chaplain. After another period of service at Holy Cross Cathedral, he was an instructor at King’s College, Lagos.

In 1971, he was ordained titular Bishop of Mascula and Auxiliary of Oyo, and in 1973 named Archbishop. As Archbishop, Okogie was the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and from 1994 to 2000, headed the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

Among other radical ideas for which he is famous, Cardinal Okogie once volunteered to die in place of a Muslim woman who had been condemned to death by stoning by an Islamic court for adultery.

He was proclaimed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of October 21, 2003, and holds the title of Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo a Mostacciano (or, in English,  Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel of Mostacciano). During his cardinal years, Okogie was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.

His resignation from the pastoral governance of the see of Lagos,  because of having reached the age limit of 75 years,  was accepted on May 25, 2012.

 Onaiyekan was born on January 29, 1944 in Kabba, Kogi State. He is the Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja.He was previously President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Bishop of Ilorin.

He was made a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in a consistory on November, 24 2012. As Cardinal-Priest,  he was assigned the titular church of San Saturnino.

On Thursday, January, 31 2013, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Onaiyekan to serve as a Member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and as a Member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family. He will hold these memberships until his 80th birthday.

Interestingly, a report published in Los Angeles Times on Monday notes that speculation on Pope’s successor has recommended Africa and Latin American cardinals. It identifies among others Arinze, Ghanaian Peter Turks and Brazilian Odilo Scherer as possible candidates.

The BBC had on Monday announced the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church. According to the news agency, the pope had said he was too old to continue at the age of 85.

The unexpected development – the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years – surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even his closest aides.

The Vatican says it expects a new Pope to be elected before Easter.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope in 2005 after John Paul II’s death.

The BBC’s David Willey in Rome says the move has come as a shock – but adds that in theory there has never been anything stopping Pope Benedict or any of his predecessors from stepping aside.

Under the Catholic Church’s governing code, Canon Law, the only conditions for the validity of such a resignation, are that it be made freely and be properly published.

But resignation is extremely rare: the last Pope to step aside was Pope Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 amid a schism within the Church, BBC adds.

A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said that even Pope Benedict’s closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left “incredulous”. He added that the decision showed “great courage” and “determination”.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he was “greatly shaken by this unexpected news”.

BBC adds that the brother of the German-born Pope said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.

According to the agency, talking from his home in Regensburg in Germany, Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a “natural process”.

He added: “His age is weighing on him. At this age my brother wants more rest.”

The Pope is not expected to take part in the conclave that will choose his successor, and will then retire to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo when he leaves office.

Father Lombardi said the Pope would then move into a monastery of cloistered nuns inside the Vatican, for “a period of prayer and reflection”.

Former Editor of the Catholic Herald, Damian Thompson, says the Pope has made a “brave move.”

At 78, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.

BBC adds that he took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church has faced in decades – the scandal of child sex abuse by priests – was breaking.

In a statement, the pontiff said: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

“I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

“However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to steer the boat of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.

“For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.”

Prominent Christian clerics in Nigeria have also reacted to Pope Benedict XVI’s decision.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Ibadan, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Arch Diocese, Most Rev. Alaba Job, said the news was saddening.

Job said that though a rare occurrence, the decision by Pope Benedict would have to be accepted since it did not contravene the Canon Law of the church.

“It is not a common thing, in fact, it is rare to see a Pope resign and the last time this happened was centuries ago.

“Though we did not expect it, we have to commend this man for the courage to take such a weighty decision as he has been doing well over the years.”

 Also reacting, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Oyo Chapter, Pastor Ayo Olabisi, commiserated with Catholics, saying the Pope acted in good faith.

“I believe he is acting on God’s direction, so who are we to query God?