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Gabriel Zubeir WakoThe first Sudanese cardinal.
Date of Birth: 27.02.1941
Country:  Sudan |
Content:
Early Life and Episcopal Ministry
Gabriel Zubeir Wako was born into a devout Catholic family in Lufori, Sudan, on February 17, 1941. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and served as the Bishop of Wau from 1974 to 1979.
Archbishop of Khartoum
In 1979, Wako was appointed as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Khartoum, and in 1981, he became the Archbishop of Khartoum. During his tenure as Archbishop, he led the Catholic Church in Sudan through a period of political turmoil and conflict.
Cardinalate
On October 21, 2003, Wako was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope John Paul II and assigned the titular church of Sant'Atanasio a Via Tiburtina. He participated in the 2005 and 2013 conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, respectively.
Death and Legacy
Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako passed away on December 10, 2016. He was the first Sudanese cardinal and a prominent figure in the Catholic Church in Africa. His legacy includes his leadership through challenging times and his commitment to interfaith dialogue and reconciliation.
