Pope Francis has appointed the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, as a member of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Human Integral Development.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Christopher Omosho, the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese Sokoto, Kukah’s latest appointment was contained in a letter signed by the Prefect of the Dicastery, Peter Cardinal
The statement read in part, “By this appointment, Bishop Kukah will join other members of the Dicastery drawn from different regions of the world to advise and promote the Holy Father’s concerns on issues of justice and peace, human rights, torture, human trafficking, care of creation and other issues related to the promotion of human dignity and development,”
While the statement did not disclose the date for the formal inauguration of the global Council which the Nigerian cleric will be a member, it, however, noted that the appointment, which is for an initial period of five years, is renewable.
The recent appointment adds to Kukah’s string of national and international engagements within the universal Church.
He had served under three Popes as Consultor, and a member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, Vatican City.
Though a cleric, Kukah’s knowledge straddles both the secular and the theological.
He is a prolific author who is considered a repository of knowledge on human rights and conflict resolution.
His wealth of experience in the areas of human rights and reconciliation has earned him various positions on different committees in the country and beyond.
Kukah is currently the Chairman, Dialogue Committees of both the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
