Bishop-Kukah.webp​

The Digest: ​

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese to a top position in the Vatican City as a Member of the Council of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development. The Nigerian priest will serve a five-year term on the council, joining prominent Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from around the world. The Dicastery deals with key global issues, including the environment, human rights, migration, human development, and social ethics. Bishop Kukah was first appointed to the council in 2022 by Pope Francis.

Key Points:

  • Bishop Kukah will serve a five-year term on the Council of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development.
  • He joins prominent church leaders, including Cardinal Walter McElroy of Washington and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna.
  • The Dicastery focuses on Catholic Social Teachings covering the environment, human rights, migration, and human development.
  • Bishop Kukah previously served on the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue under Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict IV.
  • He expressed humility and gratitude, noting that the Dicastery aligns with his areas of research and pastoral interest.
As Bishop Kukah takes on this significant Vatican role, his appointment reaffirms Nigeria's influence within the global Catholic Church and provides a platform to shape Church teachings on critical global issues.

Sources: Premium Times