JOHN CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN
Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja – Nigeria.
Born on January 29th, 1944, after my primary and secondary education from 1949 to 1962, I proceeded for my priestly formation starting in Nigeria, and then in Rome, from 1963 to 1969. I was then ordained to the Catholic Priesthood on August 3rd 1969 in my home town of Kabba. I was sent back to Rome for higher ecclesiastical studies in Holy Scripture from 1971 to 1976, returning home with a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Urban University.
I was thereupon engaged in priestly formation from 1976 until 1982 when I was appointed bishop of Ilorin by Pope John Paul II. In 1990, I was moved to Abuja where I have served as Bishop and later Archbishop until my retirement for reasons of age in 2019. In the meantime, I was created cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
I have held episcopal leadership positions at national, regional and continental levels. I have also served the Catholic Church at the global level in the Vatican as participant in many Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops, and membership of decasteries and commissions of the Holy See. I have also had long, fruitful and enriching ecumenical and interfaith engagements from local to global levels.
Now at 81, I am continuing my life of service to God and humanity to the best of my ability, managing my old age – until the Lord calls me to paradise.