Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins (Archbishop-Elect of Lagos)
Pope Benedict XVI, today, elevated Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins (formerly of Abeokuta Diocese) to the Metropolitan See of Lagos. Bishop Martins replaces the revered Anthony Cardinal Okogie as Archbishop of Lagos.
A release by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria reads thus:
Bishop Alfred Adewale MARTINS Appointed Archbishop of LagosHis 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 1998The date for the installation of the Archbishop-elect is yet to be announced.
His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie (Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos)
Update
Cardinal Okogie’s resignation from the pastoral governance of the See of Lagos – having reached the age limit of 75 years – was accepted by Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on on 25 May 2012. This was confirmed from Vatican website:
On 25 May the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Lagos in Nigeria presented by Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law, and appointed Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins as Archbishop of Lagos, transferring him from the Diocese of Abeokuta.
His Eminence Anthony cardinal O. Okojie is a great man indeed…. A man with great integrity n honour, who has worked tiredlessly. May d good Lord continue to strenghten him as e resigns.. Amen
Well done Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie for your pastoral work in Lagos as the Arch Bishop. We pray that the good Lord will continue to be with you and give you good health of mind and body. Welcome to Lagos Bishop Alfred Martins. God will give you the spiritual guidance to direct the sheep of God.
God tank u 4 blessing my bishop…am going to miss my bishop…his lyk a father to us all in abeokuta….am so so hapi 4 im…bt wil miss im so much…especially his good words to us….tank u 4 movin im forward to a higher place….d best bishop ever
My bishop is d best…am goin to miss im ere in abeokuta…we love u..especially d cathedral family…nd al ur good words u say
We thank God for †ђε good leadership qualities of Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie in †ђε Archdiocese of Lagos. We equally thank God for making a good choice again for †ђε Metropolitan See of Lagos! As Ʊ have promised Lord, ‘You W̶̲̥̅̊iℓℓ never leave Your flock unattended’, kindly bestow upon Abeokuta Diocese a shepherd after Your own heart!
Tanks for the shoker how far with cardinal okogie’s health ?
God bless catholic May He continue 2 strengthen our new Archshop. Am proud to be a CATHOLIC.
As we welcome bishop Alfred into the Lagos archdiocese I pray God gives him the strength and wisdom to lead and to our cardinal, more fruitful years in His vineyard.
Thank God for sparing the life of our papa Anthony Cardinal Okogie till now, You deserve to rest. And to Bishop Martin, i’ve not met you, but i’ve heard so many beautiful things about you from your classmate who is a father to me. May God give you more grace and strength to do His work to a ripe old age too. Amen!!!
It’s a big progress for the entire Catholic faithfuls
Will really miss his eminence. Sincerely speaking he has tried. I wish him a fullfilled and happy retirement. We love u his eminence anthony cardinal okogie. Remain blessed
We love u his eminence, u have really tried. Remain blessed
When the spirit. Speaks he does so clearly. Congrats to the new AB. ….Uttazi Peter
May God continue to guide His church on earth.Amen
Hail! the new arch-bishop.
This is good news to me on my good brother, friend and a fantastic orator that we relate together for years in Abeokuta. I am going to miss this great fighter for justice and whatever is right and just. Congratulations, this is great feat and I have no doubt in my mind that you will live up to the expectation of that exalted office. My Bishop brother, you are indeed eminently qualified to step into the big shoes left behind by Archbishop Olubunmi Okogie. Once again, congrats and count on my journalistic support all the time.
To God be the glory. This is good news to me on my good brother, friend and a fantastic orator that we relate together for years in Abeokuta. I am going to miss this great fighter for justice and whatever is right and just. Congratulations, this is great feat and I have no doubt in my mind that you will live up to the expectation of that exalted office. My Bishop brother, you are indeed eminently qualified to step into the big shoes left behind by Archbishop Olubunmi Okogie. Once again, congrats and count on my journalistic support all the time.
I love my Lord Bishop(Adewale Martins). May God Almighty continue to strenghten you as you journey your way in this call you are into.
Thanks be to God