Cardinal Francis Arinze: 50 years as a Bishop

Francis Cardinal Arinze was not born a catholic. He was a convert from the African Traditional Religion predominant in the Igbo society of his time. The early contact with that dying religion may have influenced his intellectual work and doctoral thesis in Rome, “Ibo Sacrifice as an Introduction to the Catechesis of Holy Mass” This also was the basis for his much used reference work, “Sacrifice in Ibo Religion”, published in 1970.

After his baptism by the saint- to – be, Rev Father Michael Iwene Tansi, on his ninth birthday (1 November 1941), he went on to pursue his priestly vocation that culminated in his becoming the youngest Bishop in the world in August 29, 1965 at the age of 32. In addition to the quality education he acquired at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, one of the oldest in the country, and where he earned a philosophy degree in 1950, Arinze, born in Eziowelle in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State, on November 1, 1932, went to Rome to study theology at the Pontifical Urban University, where he also earned a doctorate in sacred theology summa cum laude.

He was named coadjutor to the Archbishop of Onitsha or what is commonly known as Auxiliary bishop under the legendary Archbishop Charles Heerey, an Irish missionary. He attended the final session of the Second Vatican Council in that same year along with the 45-year-old Archbishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II. Following the death of His Grace, Charles Heerey in February 1967, Arinze was appointed to the position a few months later, on June 26, 1967. He was the first native African to head his diocese and at a most trying period which witnessed the Nigeria – Biafra war

Impressed by Arinze’s many accomplishments as the leader of an archdiocese with few resources, and his ability to work side by side with Muslims, Pope John Paul II, in 1979, appointed him pro-president of the Vatican’s Secretariat for Non-Christians, later renamed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Archbishop Arinze continued as the ordinary of his archdiocese, and was deservedly named a Cardinal at the Consistory of May 25, 1985. He was later appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

In this position, Arinze’s visibility to the world public increased. This post is largely considered to have made Arinze’s career. He served in various related capacities including the president of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. He became even more visible to the public as a member of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. Pope John Paul II commended the leadership qualities of Cardinal Arinze and on October 1, 2002, he was named prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

He is the current Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni succeeding Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI in 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.

At 83, it is appropriate to say that Francis Cardinal Arinze has served his immediate constituency, the Catholic Church well. We also recognise his contributions to religious cooperation and world peace. So, as he marks the 50th anniversary of his episcopal ordination, we join the rest of humanity to wish him good health as he labours in the Lord’s vineyard.