Pope Leo and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah
There has been widespread excitement within Nigeria’s Catholic community following the appointment of Bishop Matthew Kukah by Pope Leo XIV as a Member of the Council of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at Vatican City.
The appointment was conveyed in an official letter signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, indicating that Bishop Kukah will serve a five-year term alongside Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops drawn from different parts of the world.
According to the Vatican, the newly constituted Council also includes notable global Catholic leaders such as Cardinal Walter McElroy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, and Archbishop Fulgence Mugalu of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kukah’s Previous Vatican Roles
In a statement issued by the Director of Communications, Sokoto Diocese, Fr Pascal Salifu, it was recalled that Bishop Kukah was first appointed to the Council in 2022 following its reconstitution by Pope Francis.
Fr Salifu explained that the Dicastery focuses on critical issues aligned with the Catholic Church’s social teachings, including environmental protection, human rights, migration, social justice, and human development.
The statement further highlighted Bishop Kukah’s long-standing involvement in Vatican assignments. He was previously appointed in 1996 by Pope John Paul II and later reappointed in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI to serve on the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for a decade.
During that period, he also participated in the Vatican delegation to Qatar in 2005 when diplomatic relations were established between the Vatican and the Middle Eastern country.
Additionally, Bishop Kukah served on the Advisory Board of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) from 2018 to 2025, following his appointment by Pope Francis.
The Council also announced the appointment of Dr Emmanuel Okechukwu, who will serve alongside priests, religious leaders, and lay members, contributing professional expertise to the Council’s work.
Kukah Reacts
Reacting to the appointment, Bishop Kukah expressed gratitude to the Pope, describing the opportunity as a privilege to serve the Church at a global level.
“I am humbled by this appointment and deeply grateful to the Holy Father for this opportunity to serve,” he said.
He noted that the Council’s focus areas align closely with his research interests and pastoral mission, adding that he looks forward to contributing toward strengthening Catholic values in addressing global challenges.
Bishop Kukah further emphasized the importance of promoting ethical leadership and social justice in a world facing increasing inequality and conflict driven by human greed.
