Showcase Jesus’ “servant-style leadership qualities”: Cardinal to Nigeria’s Catholic Laity

He went on to caution against sycophancy, saying, “Sycophants would give you that if that is what you want. They will massage your ego, but you end up destroying yourself and the organization that you lead.”

“A good leader should think about the group first before himself or herself and be open to ideas even when they contradict theirs or come from their perceived opponents,” the Catholic Church leader who was named Cardinal in May 2022 and was among the 20 Cardinals created during the August 2022 Consistory further said.

He warned, “If you use your office to enrich yourself, note that a time of reckoning will surely come. In your engagement with our society, always strive to remain a truthful and committed Christian.”

“Be a light for our darkened society and do not sell the association because of financial inducements or political cleavages and affiliations.” The Catholic Church leader who resigned in 2018 following sustained opposition to his Episcopal appointment for Nigeria’s Ahiara Diocese told retreatants during the July 13 spiritual event. 

Cardinal Okpaleke further emphasized, “The laity should be a shining star in the world through whom men and women of today are to experience Jesus. They are to do this first by preaching the Gospel not just by word of mouth, but more importantly by witness of their lives.”

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“As laity, we must be exemplary in our virtuous life, in the Church, in our places of work, in politics, social, and cultural life of the society. It is only by doing this that we, in our own way, share in the priestly, prophetic, and royal office of Christ,” the 60-year-old Nigerian Cardinal said.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.