Pope appoints Martins to succeed Okogie

  

Pope Benedict XVI has approved the elevation and appointment of Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins as the new Archbishop of Lagos.

He is to replace Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who is retiring after attaining the mandatory age of 75.

Pope Benedict XVI on Friday elevated Bishop Martins (formerly of Abeokuta Diocese) to the Metropolitan See of Lagos.

The Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria said in a statement that Okogie would act as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lagos until Martins installation.

The statement reads, “Bishop Alfred Adewale MARTINS Appointed Archbishop of Lagos His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has today, Friday 25th May, 2012, appointed as Archbishop of Lagos, His Lordship, Most Rev Alfred Adewale MARTINS. He replaces His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie who retired having attained the canonical age of 75. Until his appointment, Bishop Alfred Martins was the Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese.

“At the same time the Pope appointed His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lagos until the installation of the newly appointed Archbishop.

Martins was born on Jun 1, 1959 and ordained as a priest on Septemebr 18, 1983.

He was appointed Bishop of Abeokuta on October 24, 1997 and ordained on January 24, 1998.

The date for the installation of the Archbishop-elect is yet to be announced.
Cardinal Okogie, who is highly respected across Nigeria, tendered his resignation from the pastoral governance of the See of Lagos to Pope Benedict XVI on on May 25, 2012.

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