Pope Benedict XVI, on Friday elevated Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins (formerly of Abeokuta Diocese) to the position of Archbishop of Lagos.
Bishop Martins replaces the revered Anthony Cardinal Okogie.
A release by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria reads thus:
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.
PERSONAL DATA:
Born: 1 Jun 1959
Ordained Priest: 18 Sep 1983
Appointed Bishop of Abeokuta: 24 Oct 1997
Ordained Bishop of Abeokuta, Nigeria: 24 Jan 1998
The date for the installation of the Archbishop-elect is yet to be announced.
Cardinal Okogie’s resigned from the pastoral governance of Lagos, having reached the age limit of 75 years.
His resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI.
