The mystery of divine silence is one of the most profound realities in the spiritual journey of the Christian soul. Throughout Sacred Scripture and Church Tradition, silence is not merely the absence of speech but the fullness of God’s action, a sacred space where grace unfolds and the divine will is revealed. It is in this light that we contemplate the life and witness of His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, whose evangelical silence has become a testimony to the wisdom of God.
On this blessed occasion of his birthday, we lift our hearts in gratitude to the Almighty for the gift of his life, a life shaped by the sacred silence of patient endurance, unwavering faith, and profound humility. His journey, particularly in the face of trials, echoes the words of Pope Francis, who described his response to opposition and rejection as one of “evangelical silence”—a silence that speaks louder than words, a silence that testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Christian silence is not passive resignation but an active participation in the mystery of Christ’s own silence before His accusers. The Prophet Isaiah foretold of the Suffering Servant:
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Is. 53:7).
In the Passion narrative, Jesus stood silent before Pilate (Mtt. 27:12-14), embodying a silence not of weakness but of divine strength, a silence that proclaimed His absolute surrender to the will of the Father. This same silence marked the suffering of the saints—St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Thomas More, St. John of the Cross—who embraced the wisdom of holy silence as a path to deeper conformity with Christ.
Thus, evangelical silence is the silence that speaks of trust in God, the silence that refuses to be ensnared by anger or retaliation, the silence that allows God to be the vindicator. It is the silence that transforms suffering into sanctification.
In the face of opposition and rejection, many would have chosen resistance, many would have sought justice by human means, and many would have let their voices rise in protest. But His Eminence Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke chose the way of Christ—he chose silence, but not an empty silence. He chose a holy silence, an evangelical silence, a silence that radiates faith, hope, and love.
When he was rejected by the people of Ahiara Diocese, when he was met with hostility rather than welcome, he could have responded with forceful words. Instead, he responded with prayer. He could have chosen to insist on his rightful place. Instead, he chose to withdraw, allowing the will of God to unfold in His time. His silence was not that of defeat but of spiritual strength. It was the silence of a man who knew that God fights the battles of those who entrust themselves entirely to Him.
And how did God respond? In the fullness of time, the Church, in its wisdom, saw in him not only a bishop but a prince of the Church, a shepherd after the heart of Christ. Pope Francis, recognizing the depth of his virtue, elevated him to the dignity of a Cardinal—a clear sign that the way of evangelical silence is the way of victory in Christ.
Today, as we celebrate his life and mission, we are reminded that holiness is not always found in grand gestures, but in the quiet surrender to God’s will. His Eminence, the Cardinal, stands before us as a living witness that patience in suffering, trust in divine providence, and the humility of silence are marks of true spiritual greatness.
May the Lord, who has begun this great work in him, bring it to fulfillment. May his life continue to be a beacon of light for the Church in Nigeria and beyond. And may his holy silence continue to inspire generations of clergy and laity to embrace the wisdom of the cross, the strength of faith, and the peace that comes from absolute trust in God.
Happy birthday, Your Eminence! As we celebrate this day, we look with hope toward the conclave, when the time comes, and the white smoke shall rise, announcing your papacy—bringing to fulfillment the promise of Christ: “You are Peter, and on this rock, I shall build my Church” (Mtt. 16:18).
