The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has said he is ready to retire from his priestly calling, but he is being held back by Pope Francis.
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Onaiyekan said he was waiting for the pontiff to reply his retirement letter which has been with him for months.
He stated this in Abuja on Thursday during the presentation of a book in his honour titled, ‘Thy will be done: A portrait of John Cardinal Onaiyekan,’ written by Fr. Emmanuel Ojeyifo, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Archbishop’s priestly ordination.
He said, “My birthday marks the end of my position as the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese and I have made it clear to everybody that I was ready for retirement. My letter is on the table of Pope Francis and I am waiting for his reply.”
Onaiyekan, 75, said he had a good working relationship with his successor, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, who is the Co-Adjuctor Archbishop of Abuja diocese.
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