PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Pope Benedict's surprise announcement that he is creating six new cardinals - including one red hat for Nigerian Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja - drew a big cheer Wednesday from a Catholic parish on the city's East Side.
The Rev. Fr. Lazarus Onuh, who arrived here two months ago to minister to the African-Catholic community at the Church of the Holy Name while working on a masters at Providence College, was the archbishop's personal secretary for three years until his departure for the U.S.
"This is a very nice choice by the pope," the priest said Wednesday night. "The archbishop has been in charge of so many actitivities and establishing relations with Muslims and Christians. He was also president of the Christian Association of Nigeria," an ecumenical group.
The new cardinal, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on inter-religious harmony, is one of six to be elevated on Nov. 24.; Father Onuh said he can't attend the ceremony but Holy Name may well be represented. The Rev. Joseph Santos, Holy Name's pastor, expects to be in Rome at that time.
By Richard C. Dujardin