Cardinal Arinze: A treasure of the Church

I have not only closely watched many Catholic prelates, both in Nigeria and across the world, over the years; I have also studied some of them. One Cardinal who has always stood out to me is Francis Cardinal Arinze. His life, priestly ministry, intellectual clarity, humility and service to the universal Church represent a remarkable legacy that Nigerians, and particularly Nigerian Catholics, should cherish.

In 1983, I remember my first class in Latin. Msgr. Jeremiah Ikegbusi strolled into the classroom, wrote “Latina Lingua” on the board and, by way of introduction, told us that Latin was essentially pronounced like Igbo, though there were differences. Have you listened to Cardinal Arinze celebrate Mass in Latin? I often watch his lips and listen carefully to his words to get the correct pronunciation of Latin words. I have come to realise that priests who speak Italian often pronounce Latin beautifully. Have you listened to Fr. Gabriel Okeke? They make Latin tempting to the tongue and particularly pleasing to the ear.

In 1984, Pope John Paul II called him to Rome to serve in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. On 25 May 1985, he was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II, receiving the title of Cardinal-Deacon of San Giovanni della Pigna. In 1996, he became a Cardinal-Priest, and in 2005 he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni.

Velletri-Segni is one of the seven ancient suburbicarian sees surrounding Rome – Ostia (we read about Ostia and its port in “New Approach to Latin”), Albano, Frascati, Palestrina, Porto-Santa Rufina, Sabina-Poggio Mirteto and Velletri-Segni – traditionally associated with Cardinal-Bishops, whose number was historically seven before Pope Francis expanded the rank. Francis CardinalArinze is the only Nigerian to have attained this distinction. In 2005, he received the See of Velletri-Segni, succeeding Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI. I have personally visited the See of Frascati and its magnificent Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle, where I had the privilege of attending Mass.

I have never been comfortable with some of the reforms introduced by Pope Francis, particularly those that altered aspects of the Church’s ancient structures and traditions. To me, some of these changes added little while unnecessarily demystifying the Church and diminishing the “Ebube” – the sacred majesty and awe – that has long surrounded her traditions. I yearn for a return to the original tradition of the seven. Yes, as the Latin expression goes: “Mundus mutatur, nosque cum illo” (“The world changes, and we with it”), but changes that add nothing should be avoided. I can understand the discarding of the “sedia gestatoria” because of modern transportation systems, but not the expansion of the number of Cardinal-Bishops.

Arinze’s service to the universal Church was extraordinary. He served as President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue from 1985 to 2002 and subsequently as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2002 until his retirement in December 2008.

But beyond these impressive positions, there is something about Cardinal Arinze that I find particularly admirable: his extraordinary restraint.

Whenever people speak ill of him, he hardly responds. He does not engage in public quarrels. He does not embark on media battles to defend himself. At most, he would say something along the lines of: “Continue praying for the Church.” That, to me, says a great deal about the man.

One of the clearest examples was the controversy surrounding the Diocese of Ahiara and the appointment of Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke now a Cardinal. At the height of the controversy, some people alleged that Cardinal Arinze was instrumental in the appointment. Whether that allegation was correct or not, I do not know. I have never had access to the processes and discussions that preceded the appointment, and I will not claim knowledge of what I do not know beyond what the canon law says on the subject matter.

What struck me, however, was Cardinal Arinze’s response – quiescence. He has always refused to deepen any controversy about the church by silence. He did not descend into the kind of public exchanges that could further inflame an already difficult ecclesiastical situation. He remained remarkably restrained. That is the Cardinal I have come to know.

He also appears to me to have deliberately stayed away from partisan politics, in the best tradition of the Church. He has occupied positions of enormous influence, both in Nigeria and in Rome, but I have never known him to behave like a political actor. His loyalty is to the Church and her mission, not to political parties, factions or transient interests.

There is also something profoundly attractive about his simplicity. Cardinal Arinze is not ostentatious. He does not appear to crave luxury or worldly indulgence. I have personally seen him give away vehicles that were given to him to congregations and priests who needed them. These may appear to be small acts, but they reveal something about the disposition of the man: he does not regard material possessions as an end in themselves.

Listen to Cardinal Arinze speak about the Catholic faith, and you will notice the conviction with which he speaks. He believes in the Church. He treasures the Catholic faith. He speaks about apostolic succession with checks bursting with pride. You can hear in his voice the conviction that what he is defending is not merely an institution but a sacred inheritance handed down through generations.

I once listened to him speak about the history of the Church and the fact that even the Church’s darkest periods could not destroy her. He made the point that the Church has had bad Popes in the past, yet the Church survived them. The lesson was profound: the strength and permanence of the Church do not ultimately depend upon the perfection of the individuals who occupy her highest offices. That is a message worth remembering.

I have followed his recent engagements with considerable interest. Listening to him explain the sacraments, liturgical music and translations of the words of the Mass in different languages, it was vintage Arinze. I also listened to his recent talk on the delay (is it really delay?) in the canonisation of Blessed Iwene Tansi and on clericalism. Despite his advanced age, his intellectual sharpness remains. His voice does not even carry the weight of his years, as his mind remains remarkably lucid. He still has that extraordinary ability to explain complicated questions about the Church in a manner that ordinary people can understand. This is one of the things I love most about him.

When Cardinal Arinze explains something, he does not need unnecessary theological gymnastics. He goes straight to the substance of the matter. He speaks simply, calmly and with authority. Sometimes, listening to him explain the ways of the Church is more profound than reading canon law. I think that if a person cannot understand a particular issue after Cardinal Arinze has explained it, it would be difficult to understand it from anyone else.

I also admire – and wish to take this opportunity to thank – Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke for the filial respect he has continued to accord him. I have watched them closely and noticed that the Archbishop does not joke with Cardinal Arinze. There is a deep reverence there, and I am always happy whenever Cardinal Arinze is in Nigeria.

I was particularly overwhelmed when he led the dedication of the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi. I already thanked Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye for that thoughtfulness. Seeing a son of the Nigerian Church who has served at the highest levels of the universal Church return home in such a capacity was deeply moving. The admiration was part of what “Akachaam” threatened that day.

Akachaam and others have lately been questioning why Blessed Iwene Tansi is yet to be canonised. For them, if he were a white man, it would have happened. Cardinal Arinze recently clarified that matter. Our people would likely appeal to emotion without trying to find out how these things are done.I mention all these things because I believe Cardinal Arinze deserves the respect he receives.

Unfortunately, there are priests and others who sometimes speak against him. When things appear to go wrong in some dioceses, particularly concerning the appointment of bishops, some are quick to point an accusing finger at Cardinal Arinze.

I cannot comment authoritatively on matters I do not know. I do not know the internal processes through which episcopal appointments are made, other than what is provided for in canon law. But if I were the Pope, considering Cardinal Arinze’s extraordinary experience, his knowledge of Nigeria, his position in the Church as the oldest cardinal, a Council father, his decades of service in the Roman Curia and his continued residence in Rome, I would certainly consult him informally on matters concerning the Catholic Church in Nigeria and around the world. This is simply propriety.

Consulting him does not mean accepting everything he says. It means recognising experience. It means respecting institutional memory. It means benefiting from the wisdom of someone who has spent decades at the highest levels of the Church.

There is another question people sometimes ask: Why is Cardinal Arinze still living in Rome after his retirement?

His retirement in December 2008 was from his office as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It was not retirement from the cardinalate. He remains a Cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Canon law does not require a retired Cardinal to return to his country which he is entitled to if he so desires. Residence after retirement therefore continues according to the arrangements made by the Holy See. And perhaps there is something fitting about Cardinal Arinze remaining close to the heart of the Church he has served for so many decades.

At 93, he is the oldest living cardinal. Born in 1932, ordained a priest in 1958 when the Pope was three years, consecrated a bishop in 1965, appointed Archbishop of Onitsha in 1967, created a cardinal in 1985 and elevated to the rank of Cardinal-Bishop in 2005, his journey spans almost seven decades of priestly, episcopal and cardinalatial service.

Your Eminence has seen much. He has served under several Popes. He has witnessed triumphs, controversies, crises and changes within the Church. Yet he remains remarkably convinced of the enduring strength of the Catholic faith. That conviction is perhaps his greatest treasure. The years have not diminished his attachment to the Church. If anything, they appear to have deepened it.

And perhaps that is the greatest lesson Cardinal Francis Arinze offers us: serve the Church, love the Church, defend the faith, avoid unnecessary quarrels, remain humble – and leave the rest to God.

For me, Cardinal Arinze is not merely an eminent Nigerian churchman, he is a treasure of the Nigerian Church, a treasure of Africa and, above all, a treasure of the universal Church.

Postscript

I had to take down my earlier post/edit to include this wonderful update.

Right after publishing it, Fr. Emmanuel Edu shared the attached programme with me, confirming that our revered “old lion of the faith,” His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, is serving as the Special Guest of Honour to lead Holy Mass at St. Andrew’s Pro-Cathedral, Adazi-Nnukwu. The event marks a truly remarkable double Diamond Jubilee—celebrating 60 years of grace, faithfulness, and consecrated life for Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Johnson Ojiako and Rev. Sr. Mary Francis Regis Ojiako.

My profound gratitude goes to the Chief Host, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop of Awka Diocese. Bishop Ezeokafor remains a worthy son of the Church, steering his see with visionary leadership and dedicated apostolic service. As the saying goes, “onye fee Eze, Eze eruo ya.” The honour accorded the Cardinal is richly deserved, and it is heartening to see him celebrated with such dignity.

To add to the blessing, Fr. Egbejiogu called shortly afterwards to remind me of the Cardinal’s upcoming visit to his parish and warmly extended an invitation.

Gestures like these are deeply inspiring. Beyond keeping our beloved Cardinal actively engaged, they stand as a timeless tribute to his pre-eminence and towering legacy in the Church. We truly cannot celebrate him enough!

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