Anambra Governor, Speaker celebrate global Icon Cardinal Arinze on 92nd birthday

Cardinal Arinze

BY SUNNY A. DAVID

Anambra State Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze have extended warm birthday greetings to His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, on his 92nd birthday.

In his goodwill message, Governor Soludo eulogized Cardinal Arinze as a most distinguished son of Anambra State and a global icon of the Catholic Church, whose life continues to be a towering testimony to uncompromising faith, intellectual brilliance, and selfless service to God and humanity.

The Governor further stated that throughout his illustrious ecclesiastical career, Cardinal Arinze has been a bastion of spiritual wisdom, diplomatic excellence, and pastoral dedication.

He noted that his leadership within the Catholic Church, particularly his significant roles in spreading the Gospel, promoting interfaith dialogue, and serving humanity with compassion and integrity are worthy of emulation.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze has described Francis Cardinal Arinze as ab preeminent priest in Africa,

Felicitating Cardinal Arinze, the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on his ninety-second birthday anniversary, Right Honourable Udeze described him as an outstanding religious leader.

Speaker Udeze called on other religious leaders to emulate Cardinal Arinze’s humility, uprightness, good nature and devotion to God, noting that he has done the State, Ndi Igbo, Nigeria and Africa proud in his religious career.

He revealed that Cardinal Arinze has in the course of his priestly mandate and duties, received an unprecedented Gold Medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews for his outstanding achievements in inter-faith relations and prayed to God to continue to strengthen him.