It was a rare experience yesterday for Ndi Imo as the newly created cardinal, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Okpaleke conducted his first Mass at the Government House Chapel, Owerri upon return from Rome.
Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma received and hosted Cardinal Okpaleke at the Government House in Owerri.
His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke is the one of the 16 out of 20 cardinals created by Pope Francis, Cardinal Okpaleke will be standing in for the next conclave where a new Pope will emerge.
It is quite symbolic that the first official outing of the newly created Cardinal Peter Okpaleke is to visit Imo State to join the faithful in prayers and thanksgiving for peace in our dear State.
For me, I do not see Cardinal Okpaleke’s pastoral outing to Imo as any sort of political endorsement, but as a demonstration of his genuine Christlikeness.
One of the most significant exhortations in the Bible is that; “As long as it is within our powers to do, pursue peace with all men.”
As omniscient and omnipotent as our Almighty Father is, He still emphasizes on the importance of peace. God could actually by a sneeze, destroy all those who do not love him or disrespect him, but He advises peace and is patient with sinners.
Okpaleke’s outing to Imo State tells also of his forgiving spirit and readiness to embrace those who rejected him. His Eminence was taunted, spat at and made to look bad before the world by a section of Imo people just few years ago. So, it wouldn’t have been strange if the Prince of the Mother Church chose to ignore Imo State, especially, as it was obvious that Imo didn’t have good representation when he received his red cap in Rome.
Cardinal Okpaleke exemplifies the life that true Christians should lead and I am confident that his visit to Imo and prayers for healing in our dear State shall receive the quick and favorable response of our Almighty Father and His beloved angels.
