Peter Ebere Okpaleke was born on 1 March 1963 in Amesi, in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, in the Diocese of Awka. He entered the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary at Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu in 1983, studying philosophy and theology until 1992, and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Awka on 22 August 1992. After parish and diocesan posts and further study at the Catholic Institute of West Africa in Port Harcourt, he studied canon law in Rome at the University of the Holy Cross from 1999 to 2002. He then served as chancellor of the Diocese of Awka from 2002 to 2011, alongside work as a judge of the Inter-Diocesan Court of Onitsha and as a parish priest.
On 7 December 2012 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Ahiara. He was consecrated on 21 May 2013, outside the diocese, because clergy and laity in Ahiara — who objected that he was not of the local Mbaise ethnic group — prevented him from taking possession of his see. In 2017 Pope Francis gave the Ahiara clergy thirty days to accept him or face suspension; apologies were sent but protests continued. Okpaleke resigned, and Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 19 February 2018.
On 5 March 2020 Pope Francis appointed him the first Bishop of Ekwulobia, a new diocese carved from Awka in his home state; he was installed on 29 April 2020 and has built the young diocese around a family apostolate and grassroots evangelization. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 27 August 2022, assigning him the titular church of Ss. Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
You visit families wherever they are.
When you evangelize one person, you evangelize the family.
Jesus talks of this type of peace in John 14:27. Now I know what Jesus meant, that he gives us peace, not the kind of peace that the world gives.
I am convinced, in conscience that my remaining the Bishop of Ahiara is no longer beneficial to the Church.
The Pope’s visit is a sign that we are not forgotten.
Despite all our challenges, the hope of the Church is in Africa.
Major Works & Initiatives
Chancellor of the Diocese of Awka
Served as diocesan chancellor 2002–2011 after doctoral studies in canon law at the University of the Holy Cross, Rome; also secretary of the diocesan pastoral and presbyteral councils and, from 2007, a judge of the Inter-Diocesan Court of Onitsha.
Bishop of Ahiara
Appointed 7 December 2012 and consecrated 21 May 2013, but never able to take possession of the diocese; resigned 19 February 2018.
First Bishop of Ekwulobia
Appointed at the diocese's erection on 5 March 2020 and installed 29 April 2020; founded its curia and pastoral structures, with a family apostolate and grassroots evangelization as stated priorities.
Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Martiri dell’Uganda a Poggio Ameno
Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022, becoming Nigeria's fourth cardinal; participated as an elector in the 2025 conclave.
Controversies
The Ahiara appointment dispute (2012–2018)
Appointed Bishop of Ahiara in December 2012, Okpaleke was rejected by a section of the diocese's clergy and laity, who objected that he came from outside the dominant Mbaise ethnic group and said Mbaise priests were under-represented in the hierarchy. His consecration on 21 May 2013 was held outside the diocese, and he was prevented from entering the cathedral to take possession. In June 2017 Pope Francis gave Ahiara's clergy thirty days to pledge obedience and accept him or be suspended; letters of apology were sent, but protests continued and diocesan life, including diaconal ordinations, was disrupted. Okpaleke resigned in February 2018, writing that his remaining as bishop was no longer beneficial to the Church and that the situation was threatening his spiritual life. Supporters of the appointment characterised the rejection as ethnic discrimination against a validly appointed bishop; the protesters characterised their campaign as a protest against discrimination in appointments. Both characterisations remain contested by the other side.