The Nigerian Catholic Broadcasting Committee CBCN revealed that only one cardinal from Nigeria is eligible to participate in the elections of the new pope.
According to a statement posted on the CBCN Facebook page, for his outstanding performance, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, 62, of Bishop Ekwulobia, is the only Nigerian Catholic cardinal, currently four are eligible to (vote) for the PAPAL conclusion.
CBCN believes that their age is the reason for the other three to fail.
Statement reading:
“His outstanding performance, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke (62) is the only Nigerian Catholic cardinal who qualifies for the Pope (voting) of the Pope, under the age of 80, who can vote for the new Pope and be elected as Pope.
“Other Nigerian Cardinals who cannot vote:
Cardinal Francis Fragrance – 92
Cardinal Anthony Okogie – 88
Cardinal Jonah-81“Why is the Cardinal with 80 votes in a conference contest? The church cannot vote out of attention to the Cardinal himself.
Choosing the Supreme Pope can be a big burden of responsibility, especially for people of an age group. Instead, these cardinals helped lead God’s people pray during the election to play a role in supporting the electorate.
“The reason for this provision is the desire not to increase the weight of this ancient age, thereby further burden of responsibility to choose a person who must lead the flock of Christ in a way that meets the needs of the times.
“However, this does not mean that Cardinals over the age of eighty cannot attend preparatory sessions with the following norms.
“During the vacancies of the apostles, especially in the election of the Supreme Pope, they should, in particular, lead the people of God to gather in the patriarchal cathedrals of Rome and in other churches in the world, in which the soul must always be the supreme law.”
Pope Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and was removed from his lungs when he was young, was taken to Jegilly Hospital on February 14 due to a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization he had during his 12-year Pope.
However, he appeared on Easter Sunday the day before his death, wishing thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.
