We should all be proud of Dery's elevation - JAK

Accra, March 02, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor said on Thursday that the elevation of Archbishop Peter Poreku Dery to the rank of a Cardinal is an honour which should give a sense of pride to all Ghanaians irrespective of religious faith.

"Not many countries in our part of the world can boast of two Cardinals at the same time," he said after officially being informed by the Apostolic Nuncio George Kocherry of Archbishop Dery's elevation. President Kufuor looking visibly happy said, "The nation has within the past few years been honoured."

He said for the former Archbishop of Tamale to have been recognised by the Pope for his services to the church, particularly the youth and the nation whilst in retirement showed that he indeed deserved the honour.

President Kufuor said the government would see to it that some Ministers of State joined the delegation that would travel to Rome to support him.

Archbishop Dery, 88, was the only African among 15 prelates from across the world elevated to the status of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI.

The consecration of the new Cardinals would take place in the Vatican on Friday, March 24. He said 50 members of the Catholic Church in Ghana would leave Ghana to Rome for the ceremony.