College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 05.02.2007]

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press, for the exclusive use of accredited journalists.

Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, Archbishop of Lagos (Nigeria), was born on 16 June 1936 in Lagos, Nigeria. He was ordained a priest on 11 December 1966. He holds a licentiate in sacred theology.
Following ordination, Cardinal Okogie planned to continue his studies in Rome, but was unexpectedly called back to Nigeria where he served for a short time as pastoral assistant at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos. He was then drafted into the Nigerian army as a chaplain. He served again at the Cathedral and was appointed as Catholic religious instructor and chaplain in King's College, a State Secondary School. On 29 August 1971, he was ordained titular Bishop of Mascula and Auxiliary of Oyo. He was transferred to Lagos first as Auxiliary Bishop, then on 13 April 1973 nominated Archbishop. Cardinal Okogie played a prominent role in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), where he served as President. He also served as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria from 1994-2000.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of  Beata Vergine Maria del Monte Carmelo a Mostacciano (Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in Mostacciano).

Member of:

• Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples;
• Pontifical Council for Social Communications;
• Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

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