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VATICAN NAMES BISHOP MATTHEW HASSAN KUKAH TO DICASTERY
The Vatican Head, Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah to Discastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, marking key appointment for the Nigerian Church.
The ppointment, conveyed by His Holiness Pope Leo IV and signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, places Bishop Kukah among a distinguished body of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from across the world. Other Members include the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, His Eminence Cardinal Walter McElroy, Card. Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Card. Conrad Krajewski of Poland, Archbishop Fulgence Mugalu of Lubumbashi, DRC.
He will serve a five-year term on the Council, contributing to the Church’s global mission on critical issues including the environment, human rights, migration, social ethics, and integral human development.This appointment builds on Bishop Kukah’s longstanding service to the universal Church. He previously served on the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue following appointments by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, and later represented the Vatican on the Advisory Board of KAICIID under Pope Francis.
Notably, Bishop Kukah had earlier been appointed to this same Dicastery in 2022 during its reconstitution by Pope Francis, further affirming the confidence of the Holy See in his leadership, scholarship, and commitment to peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. Similarly, Dr. Emmanuel Okechukwu, Director of Health Services at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, has been appointed to serve alongside the clergy, religious, and lay experts on the Council.
Reacting to the appointment, Bishop Kukah expressed deep gratitude to the Holy Father, describing the opportunity as a humbling call to serve. He noted that the thematic focus of the Dicastery closely aligns with his pastoral and intellectual commitments, particularly in advancing ethical leadership and addressing the moral challenges confronting today’s world.
