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{{Short description|Nigerian Catholic prelate (born 1944)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = Cardinal
| type = Cardinal
| honorific-prefix = [[His Eminence]]
| honorific-prefix = [[His Eminence]]
| name = John Onaiyekan
| name = John Onaiyekan
| birth_name = John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan
| birth_name = John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan
| title = [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Archbishop of Abuja]]
| title = [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Archbishop emeritus of Abuja]]
| image = His_Eminence_John_Cardinal_Onaiekan.JPG
| image = His_Eminence_John_Cardinal_Onaiekan.JPG
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| church =
| church = {{ubl | [[Catholic Church]] | [[Latin Church]]}}
| archdiocese = Abuja
| archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Abuja]]
| diocese =
| diocese =
| see = Abuja
| see =
| appointed = 7 July 1990 (Coadjutor)
| appointed = {{ubl
| 7 July 1990 (Coadjutor)
| term_start = 28 September 1992
| 28 Sep 1992 (Bishop)
| 26 Mar 1994 (Archbishop)
| predecessor = [[Dominic Ekandem]]
}}
| successor =
| retired = 9 November 2019
| other_post = Cardinal-Priest of San Saturnino
| predecessor = [[Dominic Ekandem]]
<!-- Orders -->
| successor = [[Ignatius Ayau Kaigama]]
| ordination = 3 August 1969
| other_post = [[Cardinal priest]] of [[San Saturnino]] (2012{{nbnd}}present)
| ordained_by = [[Auguste Delisle]] CSSp
<!-- Personal details -->| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1944|1|29}}
| consecration = 6 January 1983
| birth_place = [[Kabba]], [[Colonial Nigeria]]<!-- What the place may correspond to on a modern map is a matter for an article's main text.-->
| consecrated_by = [[Pope John Paul II]]
| death_date =
| cardinal = 24 November 2012
| death_place =
|created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Benedict XVI]]
| previous_post = {{indented plainlist|
| rank = Cardinal-Priest
* [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin|Auxiliary Bishop of Ilorin]] (1982{{nbnd}}1984)
<!-- Personal details -->
* [[Titular Bishop]] of [[Thunusuda]] (1982{{nbnd}}1984)
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1944|1|29}}
* Bishop of Ilorin (1984{{nbnd}}1990)
| birth_place = [[Kabba]]
* Coadjutor Bishop of Abuja (1990{{nbnd}}1992)
| death_date =
* Bishop of Abuja (1992{{nbnd}}1994)
| religion = [[Roman Catholic]]
* President,symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (2004–2007)
| death_place =
* [[Apostolic administrator]] of [[Diocese of Ahiara|Ahiara]] (2013{{nbnd}}2018)
| previous_post = {{unbulleted list|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin|Auxiliary Bishop of Ilorin]] (1982–1984)|Titular Bishop of Thunusuda (1982–1984)|Bishop of Ilorin (1984–1990)|Coadjutor Bishop of Abuja (1990–1992)|Archbishop of Abuja (1992–1994)}}
* Member, [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]] (2013{{nbnd}})
* Member, [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] (2016{{nbnd}})
}}
| coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of John Onaiyekan.svg
| coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of John Onaiyekan.svg
| motto = {{langnf|la|Fiat Voluntas Tuo|Thy Will Be Done|break=yes}}
<!---------- Orders ---------->| module = {{Ordination
| embed = yes
| expand = History
| denomination = Catholic
| ordained deacon by =
| date of diaconal ordination =
| place of diaconal ordination =
| ordained priest by = [[Auguste Delisle]]
| date of priestly ordination = 3 August 1969
| place of priestly ordination =
| consecrated by = [[Pope John Paul II]]
| co-consecrators = {{ubl | [[Eduardo Martínez Somalo]], | [[Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy]]}}
| date of consecration = 6 January 1983
| place of consecration = [[St. Peter's Basilica]], Rome
| elevated by = [[Pope Benedict XVI]]
| date of elevation = 24 November 2012
| bishop 1 = [[Michael Ekwoy Apochi]]
| consecration date 1 = 2003
| bishop 2 = [[Martin Dada Abejide Olorunmolu]]
| consecration date 2 = 2006
| bishop 3 = [[Anselm Umoren]]
| consecration date 3 = 2012
| bishop 4 = [[Godfrey Igwebuike Onah]]
| consecration date 4 = 2013
| bishop 5 = [[Michael Gobal Gokum]]
| consecration date 5 = 2014
| sources = <ref name="ch.bonaiy">{{Cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bonaiy.html |title=John Olorunfemi Cardinal Onaiyekan |encyclopedia=[[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]] |publisher=David M. Cheney |date=30 January 2023 |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016162341/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bonaiy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
}}
}}
'''John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan'''{{Pronunciation needed}}<!-- as IPA --> (born 29 January 1944) is a Nigerian [[prelate]] of the [[Roman Catholicism in Nigeria|Roman Catholic Church]]. He has been Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Abuja]] since 1994 and was made a [[cardinalate|Cardinal]] in 2012. He has served as President of the [[Christian Association of Nigeria]], President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] and Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin|Ilorin]].
'''John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan'''{{Pronunciation needed}}<!-- as IPA --> (born 29 January 1944) is a [[Nigerians|Nigerian]] [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church in Nigeria|Catholic Church]]. He was archbishop of the [[Latin Church]] archdiocese of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Abuja]] from 1994 to 2019 and was made a [[cardinalate|cardinal]] in 2012. He has served as president of the [[Christian Association of Nigeria]], president of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] and bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin|Ilorin]].


==Education and early career==
==Education and early career==
Onaiyekan was born in the town of [[Kabba]], in what is now [[Kogi State]], to Bartholomew and Joann Onaiyekan. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Kabba from 1949 until 1956, Mount St. Michael's Secondary School in [[Aliade]], [[Benue State]], from 1957 until 1962, and [[Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary]] in [[Bodija]], [[Ibadan]], from 1963 until 1965. He completed his religious studies in Rome in 1969 and was ordained as a priest on 3 August of that year by Bishop Auguste Delisle of Ilorin.<ref name=ac>{{cite web |url= http://www.abujacatholics.org/archbishop.html |title=Archbishop's Page |accessdate=11 November 2007 |work= |publisher=Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja}}</ref> [[Ahmadu Bello]], [[Premier of Northern Nigeria|Premier]] of Nigeria's [[Northern Region, Nigeria|Northern Region]], had offered him a scholarship to study abroad.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew Hassan |last=Kukah |title= Peace in a Time of War |url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/03/23/20030323isu01.html |work=[[Thisday]] online |publisher= Leaders & Company |date= 23 March 2003|accessdate=11 November 2007 }}</ref>
Onaiyekan was born in the town of [[Kabba]], in what is now [[Kogi State]], to Bartholomew and Joann Onaiyekan. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Kabba from 1949 until 1956, Mount St. Michael's Secondary School in [[Aliade]], [[Benue State]], from 1957 until 1962, and [[Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary]] in [[Bodija]], [[Ibadan]], from 1963 until 1965. He completed his religious studies in Rome in 1969 and was ordained as a priest on 3 August of that year by Bishop Auguste Delisle of Lokoja Diocese.<ref name=ac>{{cite web |url=http://www.abujacatholics.org/archbishop.html |title=Archbishop's Page |access-date=11 November 2007 |publisher=Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911032227/http://www.abujacatholics.org/archbishop.html |archive-date=11 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Ahmadu Bello]], [[Premier of Northern Nigeria|Premier]] of Nigeria's [[Northern Region, Nigeria|Northern Region]], had offered him a scholarship to study abroad.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew Hassan |last=Kukah |title=Peace in a Time of War |url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/03/23/20030323isu01.html |work=[[Thisday]] online |publisher=Leaders & Company |date=23 March 2003 |access-date=11 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227164156/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/03/23/20030323isu01.html |archive-date=27 December 2004 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


Onaiyekan taught at [[St. Kizito's College]], [[Isanlu]], in 1969. He became rector of [[St. Clement Junior Seminary]] in [[Lokoja]] in 1971. He completed his [[Licentiate (degree)|Licentiate]] of [[Sacred Scripture]] in 1973 and earned his doctorate in 1976.<ref name=ac/> He became Vice Rector of Ss. Peter & Paul in 1977.<ref name=ac/>
Onaiyekan taught at [[St. Kizito's College]], [[Isanlu]], in 1969. He became rector of [[St. Clement Junior Seminary]] in [[Lokoja]] in 1971. He completed his [[Licentiate (degree)|Licentiate]] of [[Sacred Scripture]] at the [[Pontifical Biblical Institute]] in 1973 and earned his doctorate in 1976.<ref name=ac/> He became Vice Rector of Ss. Peter & Paul in 1977.<ref name=ac/>


==Church leader==
==Church leader==
In October 1980, [[Pope John Paul II]] named Onaiyekan to a five-year term on the [[International Theological Commission]]. In November, he joined the International Catholic/Methodist Dialogue Commission.<ref name=ac/>
In October 1980, [[Pope John Paul II]] named Onaiyekan to a five-year term on the [[International Theological Commission]]. In November, he joined the International Catholic/Methodist Dialogue Commission.<ref name=ac/>


Onaiyekan was consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop of [[Ilorin]], [[Kwara State]], and titular bishop of [[Africa (Roman province)#Episcopal sees|Thunusuda]] on 6 January 1983 by Pope John Paul II. He became Bishop of Ilorin in 1984. In 1990 he was named [[Coadjutor Bishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Abuja|Abuja]]. When that diocese became an [[Metropolitan see|Archdiocese]] on 26 March 1994, Onaiyekan became its first archbishop.<ref name=ac/>
Onaiyekan was appointed auxiliary bishop of [[Ilorin]] in [[Kwara State]], and titular bishop of [[Thunusuda]] on 10 September 1982.<ref>{{cite book | page = 173 | url = http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-75-1983-I-ocr.pdf | date = 1983 | volume = LXXV | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | access-date = 6 April 2021 | archive-date = 11 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171011021313/http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-75-1983-I-ocr.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> He received his episcopal consecration on 6 January 1983 by Pope John Paul II. He was named Bishop of Ilorin on 20 October 1984.<ref>{{cite book | page = 88 | url = http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-77-1985-ocr.pdf | date = 1985 | volume = LXXVII | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | access-date = 6 April 2021 | archive-date = 30 August 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210830214346/https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-77-1985-ocr.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> On 7 July 1990 he was appointed [[coadjutor bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Abuja|Abuja]]. When that diocese became an [[Metropolitan see|Archdiocese]] on 26 March 1994, Onaiyekan became its first archbishop.<ref name=ac/>


Onaiyekan was elected Vice-President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] (CBCN) in 1994 and President of that body in 2000.<ref name=ac/>
Onaiyekan was elected Vice-President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] (CBCN) in 1994 and President of that body in 2000.<ref name=ac/>


During the administration of Nigerian President [[Olusegun Obasanjo]], and especially during his second term between 2004 and 2007, Onaiyekan spoke out against the regime for its failure to support democratic principles and its corruption. Speaking in a service in his cathedral in 2005 with the president in attendance, he called on Obasanjo to resist the temptation to stand for a third term, which the Nigerian constitution did not allow, and asked him to "resist the deadly temptation to want to remain in power perpetually by hook or by crook". His stance was credited with saving Nigeria from the imposition of a dictatorship.<ref name=consistory/> He was named [[Pax Christi International]]'s 2012 Peace Laureate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/archbishop-onaiyekan-is-2012-pax-christi-peace-lau |title=Archbishop Onaiyekan is 2012 Pax Christi peace laureate| accessdate=6 December 2016|publisher=Vatican News Service}}</ref>
During the administration of Nigerian President [[Olusegun Obasanjo]], and especially during his second term between 2004 and 2007, Onaiyekan spoke out against the regime for its failure to support democratic principles and its corruption. Speaking in a service in his cathedral in 2005 with the president in attendance, he called on Obasanjo to resist the temptation to stand for a third term, which the Nigerian constitution did not allow, and asked him to "resist the deadly temptation to want to remain in power perpetually by hook or by crook". His stance was credited with saving Nigeria from the imposition of a dictatorship.<ref name=consistory/> He was named [[Pax Christi International]]'s 2012 Peace Laureate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/archbishop-onaiyekan-is-2012-pax-christi-peace-lau|title=Archbishop Onaiyekan is 2012 Pax Christi peace laureate|access-date=6 December 2016|publisher=Vatican News Service|archive-date=6 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106103311/http://www.news.va/en/news/archbishop-onaiyekan-is-2012-pax-christi-peace-lau|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On 18 September 2012, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] named Onaiyekan one of the Synod Fathers for the October 2012 Ordinary General Assembly of the [[Synod of Bishops (Catholic)|Synod of Bishops]] on the New Evangelization.
On 18 September 2012, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] named Onaiyekan one of the Synod Fathers for the October 2012 Ordinary General Assembly of the [[Synod of Bishops (Catholic)|Synod of Bishops]] on the New Evangelization.


He was created a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] by Pope Benedict XVI in a [[Papal consistory|consistory]] on 24 November 2012.<ref name=consistory>{{cite news|last1=Allen Jr.|first1=John L.|title=Vatican consistory creating six cardinals packs global punch|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-consistory-creating-six-cardinals-packs-global-punch|accessdate=5 January 2017|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=26 November 2012}}</ref> As [[Cardinal-Priest]] he was assigned to the [[titular church]] of [[San Saturnino]].
He was created a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] by Pope Benedict XVI in a [[Papal consistory|consistory]] on 24 November 2012.<ref name=consistory>{{cite news|last1=Allen Jr.|first1=John L.|title=Vatican consistory creating six cardinals packs global punch|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-consistory-creating-six-cardinals-packs-global-punch|access-date=5 January 2017|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=26 November 2012|archive-date=6 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106103153/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-consistory-creating-six-cardinals-packs-global-punch|url-status=live}}</ref> As [[Cardinal-Priest]] he was assigned to the [[titular church]] of [[San Saturnino]].


On 31 January 2013, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] appointed Onaiyekan a member of the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]] (CDF) and a member of the Presidential Committee of the [[Pontifical Council for the Family]]. He can hold these positions until his 80th birthday.
On 31 January 2013, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] appointed Onaiyekan a member of the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]] (CDF) and a member of the Presidential Committee of the [[Pontifical Council for the Family]]. He can hold these positions until his 80th birthday.


He was one of the [[Cardinal electors in Papal conclave, 2013|cardinal electors]] who participated in the [[Papal conclave, 2013|2013 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Francis]].
He was one of the [[Cardinal electors in Papal conclave, 2013|cardinal electors]] who participated in the [[Papal conclave, 2013|2013 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://zenit.org/articles/list-of-cardinal-electors/ | work = Zenit | access-date = 26 January 2019 | date = 12 March 2013 | title = List of Cardinal Electors | archive-date = 6 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190406032226/https://zenit.org/articles/list-of-cardinal-electors/ | url-status = live }}</ref>


Pope Francis appointed Onaiyekan the [[Apostolic Administrator]] of the [[diocese of Ahiara]] in Imo State in eastern Nigeria on 3 July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2013/07/03/0440/00999.html |title=Rinunce e nomine |date=3 July 2013 |website=press.vatican.va |accessdate=30 April 2015}}</ref>
Pope Francis appointed Onaiyekan the [[Apostolic Administrator]] of the [[diocese of Ahiara]] in Imo State in eastern Nigeria on 3 July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2013/07/03/0440/00999.html |title=Rinunce e nomine |date=3 July 2013 |website=press.vatican.va |access-date=30 April 2015 |archive-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911081428/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2013/07/03/0440/00999.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Pope Francis appointed him to a five-year renewable term as a member of the [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] in October 2016.
Pope Francis appointed him to a five-year renewable term as a member of the [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] in October 2016.


He won the election for the position of [[Christian Association of Nigeria]] (CAN) President on 19 June 2007 with 72 votes over Anglican Primate [[Peter Akinola]] who had 33 votes.<ref name=cbcn>{{cite news|title=Onaiyekan is new CAN president |url=http://www.cbcn.org/aspscripts/newslist.ASP?IDX=1#Onaiyekan%20is%20new%20CAN%20president-June%2019 |work=CBCN.org |publisher=[[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] |date=19 June 2007 |accessdate=16 September 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720191629/http://www.cbcn.org/aspscripts/newslist.ASP?IDX=1#Onaiyekan |archivedate=20 July 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><ref name=champ>{{cite news |title=Okoh Emerges CAN Vice-President. He was succeeded by Pastor Ayo Orisajfor |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200707300191.html |work=[[Daily Champion]] |publisher=[[allAfrica.com|AllAfrica Global Media]] |date=30 July 2007 |accessdate=13 September 2007 }}</ref> In 2010 he was succeeded by [[Ayo Oritsejafor]].
He won the election for the position of [[Christian Association of Nigeria]] (CAN) President on 19 June 2007 with 72 votes over Anglican Primate [[Peter Akinola]] who had 33 votes.<ref name=cbcn>{{cite news|title=Onaiyekan is new CAN president |url=http://www.cbcn.org/aspscripts/newslist.ASP?IDX=1#Onaiyekan%20is%20new%20CAN%20president-June%2019 |work=CBCN.org |publisher=[[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] |date=19 June 2007 |access-date=16 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720191629/http://www.cbcn.org/aspscripts/newslist.ASP?IDX=1#Onaiyekan |archive-date=20 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=champ>{{cite news |title=Okoh Emerges CAN Vice-President. He was succeeded by Pastor Ayo Orisajfor |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200707300191.html |work=[[Daily Champion]] |publisher=[[allAfrica.com|AllAfrica Global Media]] |date=30 July 2007 |access-date=13 September 2007 |archive-date=8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708194255/http://allafrica.com/stories/200707300191.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010 he was succeeded by [[Ayo Oritsejafor]].

Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Abuja on 9 November 2019.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Resignations and Assignments, 09.11.2019 | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/11/09/191109b.html | date = 9 November 2019 | access-date = 9 November 2019 | archive-date = 9 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191109124144/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/11/09/191109b.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

== Honours ==

* [[Pax Christi International Peace Award]], 2012


==Works==
==Works==
Line 69: Line 109:
*"The shariah in Nigeria: a Christian view", ''Bulletin on Islam & Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa'' (1987)
*"The shariah in Nigeria: a Christian view", ''Bulletin on Islam & Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa'' (1987)


==See also==
{{portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|Nigeria}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote|John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan}}
*[http://www.abujacatholicarchdiocese.org/ Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja official website]

* {{cite web | access-date= 25 October 2017 | title= Onaiyekan Card. John Olorunfemi | publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_onaiyekan_jo.html | url-status= live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170904070443/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_onaiyekan_jo.html |ref=none}}
* {{cite news|title=Pope Names Catholic Archbishop of Abuja John Onaiyekan Cardinal|url=http://www.connectnigeria.com/articles/2012/10/pope-names-catholic-archbishop-of-abuja-john-onaiyekan-cardinal/|access-date=25 October 2017|work=Connect Nigeria|date=26 October 2012 |ref=none}}
*[http://www.abujacatholicarchdiocese.org/ Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja official website]
*{{YouTube|XRuUGQxzda0|Salt+Light TV interview: Cardinal John Onaiyekan – Witness}}
*{{YouTube|XRuUGQxzda0|Salt+Light TV interview: Cardinal John Onaiyekan – Witness}}
*{{YouTube|bhffbfXD4ck|Catholic Sat: Catechesis by Cardinal Onaiyekan at International Eucharistic Congress 29 January 2016}}
*{{YouTube|bhffbfXD4ck|Catholic Sat: Catechesis by Cardinal Onaiyekan at International Eucharistic Congress 29 January 2016}}
* [https://gcatholic.org/hierarchy/data/cardB16-4.htm#6514 Profile of Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan] at [https://gcatholic.org GCatholic.org]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-rel|ca}}
{{s-rel|ca}}
{{s-bef|before=Concordio Maria Sarte}}
{{s-tul|title=[[Thunusuda|Titular Bishop of Thunusuda]]|years=10 September 1982 – 20 October 1984}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Germano Grachane]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[William Mahony (bishop)|William Mahony]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[William Mahony (bishop)|William Mahony]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin|Bishop of Ilorin]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilorin|Bishop of Ilorin]]|years=20 October 1984 – 7 July 1990}}
|years=20 October 1984 – 7 July 1990}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ayo-Maria Atoyebi]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ayo-Maria Atoyebi]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dominic Ekandem]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dominic Ekandem]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Archbishop of Abuja]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja|Archbishop of Abuja]]|years=26 March 1994 – 9 November 2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ignatius Ayau Kaigama]]}}
|years=26 March 1994–present}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Rodolfo Quezada Toruño|Rodolfo Ignacio Quezada Toruño]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Cardinal-Priest of [[San Saturnino]]|years=24 November 2012 –}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Akinola]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Akinola]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[Christian Association of Nigeria]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[Christian Association of Nigeria|President of the Christian Association of Nigeria]]
|years=19 June 2007 – 5 July 2010}}
|years=19 June 2007 – 5 July 2010}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ayo Oritsejafor]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ayo Oritsejafor]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


{{Cardinals of the Catholic Church}}
{{Cardinals of the Catholic Church|state=collapsed}}
{{portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|Nigeria}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Onaiyekan, John Olorunfemi}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Onaiyekan, John Olorunfemi}}
[[Category:Nigerian Roman Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Nigerian Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic archbishops]]
[[Category:Nigerian bishops]]
[[Category:Catholic Church in Nigeria]]
[[Category:People from Kogi State]]
[[Category:People from Kogi State]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Yoruba Christian clergy]]
[[Category:Yoruba Christian clergy]]
[[Category:Nigerian cardinals]]
[[Category:Nigerian cardinals]]
[[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope John Paul II]]
[[Category:Christian Association of Nigeria Presidents]]
[[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Benedict XVI]]
[[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Benedict XVI]]
[[Category:Members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]
[[Category:Members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith]]
[[Category:Members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]]
[[Category:Members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Abuja]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Ilorin]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Nigeria]]

Revision as of 15:16, 30 April 2024

His Eminence

John Onaiyekan
Cardinal, Archbishop emeritus of Abuja
Church
ArchdioceseAbuja
Appointed
  • 7 July 1990 (Coadjutor)
  • 28 Sep 1992 (Bishop)
  • 26 Mar 1994 (Archbishop)
Retired9 November 2019
PredecessorDominic Ekandem
SuccessorIgnatius Ayau Kaigama
Other post(s)Cardinal priest of San Saturnino (2012‍–‍present)
Previous post(s)
Personal details
Born
John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan

(1944-01-29) 29 January 1944 (age 80)
Kabba, Colonial Nigeria
MottoFiat Voluntas Tuo
(Latin for 'Thy Will Be Done')
Coat of armsJohn Onaiyekan's coat of arms
Ordination history
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byAuguste Delisle
Date3 August 1969
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorPope John Paul II
Co-consecrators
Date6 January 1983
PlaceSt. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Cardinalate
Elevated byPope Benedict XVI
Date24 November 2012
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by John Onaiyekan as principal consecrator
Michael Ekwoy Apochi2003
Martin Dada Abejide Olorunmolu2006
Anselm Umoren2012
Godfrey Igwebuike Onah2013
Michael Gobal Gokum2014
Source(s):[1]

John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan[pronunciation?] (born 29 January 1944) is a Nigerian prelate of the Catholic Church. He was archbishop of the Latin Church archdiocese of Abuja from 1994 to 2019 and was made a cardinal in 2012. He has served as president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria and bishop of Ilorin.

Education and early career

Onaiyekan was born in the town of Kabba, in what is now Kogi State, to Bartholomew and Joann Onaiyekan. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Kabba from 1949 until 1956, Mount St. Michael's Secondary School in Aliade, Benue State, from 1957 until 1962, and Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary in Bodija, Ibadan, from 1963 until 1965. He completed his religious studies in Rome in 1969 and was ordained as a priest on 3 August of that year by Bishop Auguste Delisle of Lokoja Diocese.[2] Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Nigeria's Northern Region, had offered him a scholarship to study abroad.[3]

Onaiyekan taught at St. Kizito's College, Isanlu, in 1969. He became rector of St. Clement Junior Seminary in Lokoja in 1971. He completed his Licentiate of Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in 1973 and earned his doctorate in 1976.[2] He became Vice Rector of Ss. Peter & Paul in 1977.[2]

Church leader

In October 1980, Pope John Paul II named Onaiyekan to a five-year term on the International Theological Commission. In November, he joined the International Catholic/Methodist Dialogue Commission.[2]

Onaiyekan was appointed auxiliary bishop of Ilorin in Kwara State, and titular bishop of Thunusuda on 10 September 1982.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on 6 January 1983 by Pope John Paul II. He was named Bishop of Ilorin on 20 October 1984.[5] On 7 July 1990 he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Abuja. When that diocese became an Archdiocese on 26 March 1994, Onaiyekan became its first archbishop.[2]

Onaiyekan was elected Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in 1994 and President of that body in 2000.[2]

During the administration of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and especially during his second term between 2004 and 2007, Onaiyekan spoke out against the regime for its failure to support democratic principles and its corruption. Speaking in a service in his cathedral in 2005 with the president in attendance, he called on Obasanjo to resist the temptation to stand for a third term, which the Nigerian constitution did not allow, and asked him to "resist the deadly temptation to want to remain in power perpetually by hook or by crook". His stance was credited with saving Nigeria from the imposition of a dictatorship.[6] He was named Pax Christi International's 2012 Peace Laureate.[7]

On 18 September 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Onaiyekan one of the Synod Fathers for the October 2012 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization.

He was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in a consistory on 24 November 2012.[6] As Cardinal-Priest he was assigned to the titular church of San Saturnino.

On 31 January 2013, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Onaiyekan a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) and a member of the Presidential Committee of the Pontifical Council for the Family. He can hold these positions until his 80th birthday.

He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.[8]

Pope Francis appointed Onaiyekan the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Ahiara in Imo State in eastern Nigeria on 3 July 2013.[9]

Pope Francis appointed him to a five-year renewable term as a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in October 2016.

He won the election for the position of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President on 19 June 2007 with 72 votes over Anglican Primate Peter Akinola who had 33 votes.[10][11] In 2010 he was succeeded by Ayo Oritsejafor.

Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Abuja on 9 November 2019.[12]

Honours

Works

  • "The Priesthood in Pre-monarchial Ancient Israel and among the Owe-Yoruba of Kabba: A Comparative Study", unpublished dissertation (1976)
  • "The shariah in Nigeria: a Christian view", Bulletin on Islam & Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (1987)


References

  1. ^ "John Olorunfemi Cardinal Onaiyekan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. 30 January 2023. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Archbishop's Page". Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
  3. ^ Kukah, Matthew Hassan (23 March 2003). "Peace in a Time of War". Thisday online. Leaders & Company. Archived from the original on 27 December 2004. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
  4. ^ Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXV. 1983. p. 173. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  5. ^ Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXVII. 1985. p. 88. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b Allen Jr., John L. (26 November 2012). "Vatican consistory creating six cardinals packs global punch". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Archbishop Onaiyekan is 2012 Pax Christi peace laureate". Vatican News Service. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  8. ^ "List of Cardinal Electors". Zenit. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Rinunce e nomine". press.vatican.va. 3 July 2013. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Onaiyekan is new CAN president". CBCN.org. Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
  11. ^ "Okoh Emerges CAN Vice-President. He was succeeded by Pastor Ayo Orisajfor". Daily Champion. AllAfrica Global Media. 30 July 2007. Archived from the original on 8 July 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  12. ^ "Resignations and Assignments, 09.11.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Concordio Maria Sarte
 — TITULAR —
Titular Bishop of Thunusuda
10 September 1982 – 20 October 1984 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Ilorin
20 October 1984 – 7 July 1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Abuja
26 March 1994 – 9 November 2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Cardinal-Priest of San Saturnino
24 November 2012 – 		Incumbent
Religious titles
Preceded by President of the Christian Association of Nigeria
19 June 2007 – 5 July 2010 		Succeeded by
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