Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo
Stored: Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo
| His Eminence Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Ouagadougou (Emeritus) | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Ouagadougou |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Ouahigouya |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 14 July 1973 by Bishop Constantin Guirma |
| Consecration: | 23 November 1996 by Cardinal Paul Zoungrana |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 22 February 2014 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo 31 December 1945 Konéan, Burkina Faso |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Burkinabé |
| Education: | Petit Séminaire de Pabré, Grand Séminaire de Koumi, Pontifical Urbaniana University |
| Motto: | "In Vinculo Caritatis, Annuntiemus Iesum Christum" (In the Bond of Charity, Let Us Proclaim Jesus Christ) |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | Africa |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo, born December 31, 1945, is a Burkinabé prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop Emeritus of Ouagadougou since his resignation in 2023.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2014, Ouédraogo is recognized for his advocacy for interfaith dialogue in Burkina Faso, a Muslim-majority nation where Catholics comprise about 20% of the population, and for his leadership as president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) from 2019 to 2023.[2] His motto, “In Vinculo Caritatis, Annuntiemus Iesum Christum” (In the Bond of Charity, Let Us Proclaim Jesus Christ), reflects his commitment to unity and evangelization amidst Burkina Faso’s religious violence.[3] At 79, Ouédraogo is eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, following a controversial 2025 correction of his birth date from January 25 to December 31, 1945, extending his eligibility until the end of 2025.[2]
Ordained a priest in 1973, Ouédraogo served as Bishop of Ouahigouya (1996–2009) and Archbishop of Ouagadougou (2009–2023), while holding Vatican roles in the Dicastery for Evangelization, Dicastery for Divine Worship, and Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.[1] His tenure included navigating Burkina Faso’s jihadist conflicts, promoting peace, and opposing same-sex marriage and birth control, which sparked debate over his conservative stance.[2] The 2025 birth date adjustment, aligning his Burkina Faso passport with Vatican records, stirred controversy after Ouagadougou’s cathedral celebrated his 80th birthday in January, but he remains one of 19 African cardinal-electors in the conclave.[4]
Biography
Birth and early life
Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo was born on December 31, 1945, in Konéan, Kaya Department, Burkina Faso, to Zudwende Pierre and Pegrima Jeanne Ouédraogo.[5] Raised in a rural Catholic family in a Muslim-majority region, he attended primary school in Kaya (1952–1959), where his faith was shaped by local clergy.[3] His birth date was unrecorded due to the lack of hospitals or schools in his village, later assigned as December 31, 1945, per Burkina Faso’s practice for unknown births.[2]
At age 14, Ouédraogo entered the Petit Séminaire de Pabré in Ouagadougou, discerning a priestly vocation amidst Burkina Faso’s post-colonial challenges.[1] His early life instilled a commitment to interfaith coexistence, later central to his ministry.[3]
Education
Ouédraogo studied philosophy and theology at the Grand Séminaire Régional de Koumi in Bobo-Dioulasso from 1967 to 1973, preparing for priesthood.[1] From 1978 to 1982, he pursued a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, focusing on ecclesiastical governance.[3] His dissertation addressed canon law’s application in African contexts.[5]
Fluent in French, Moré, and Italian, Ouédraogo’s education equipped him for leadership in Burkina Faso’s diverse Catholic community, emphasizing evangelization and interreligious dialogue.[2] His Roman studies deepened his conservative theological outlook.[6]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on July 14, 1973, by Bishop Constantin Guirma for the Diocese of Kaya, Ouédraogo served as vicar of Kaya Cathedral (1973–1978).[1] After earning his doctorate, he returned to Kaya in 1983 as vicar general, seminary director, and parish priest until 1996.[5] His ministry focused on education, youth formation, and fostering Catholic-Muslim relations.[3]
His priesthood coincided with Burkina Faso’s political instability, shaping his advocacy for peace and community development.[2] He emphasized catechesis and local Church autonomy, aligning with his canon law expertise.[1]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Ouahigouya on July 5, 1996, by Pope John Paul II, Ouédraogo was consecrated on November 23, 1996, by Cardinal Paul Zoungrana.[1] Named Archbishop of Ouagadougou on May 13, 2009, by Pope Benedict XVI, he served until his resignation on October 16, 2023.[7] Elevated to cardinal on February 22, 2014, he was assigned the titular church of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino.[1]
As archbishop, Ouédraogo promoted interfaith dialogue amid jihadist violence, served as SECAM president (2019–2023), and participated in the 2014 and 2015 Synods on the Family.[3] His 2025 conclave eligibility, extended by a birth date correction, drew scrutiny but was upheld.[2]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Ouahigouya | Bishop | 5 July 1996 | 13 May 2009 | Second cardinal from Burkina Faso |
| Archdiocese of Ouagadougou | Archbishop | 13 May 2009 | 16 October 2023 | Elevated to cardinal in 2014 |
Significant events
- Entered Petit Séminaire de Pabré, 1959.[1]
- Ordained priest for Diocese of Kaya, 1973.[1]
- Earned doctorate in canon law in Rome, 1982.[3]
- Appointed Bishop of Ouahigouya, 1996.[1]
- Named Archbishop of Ouagadougou, 2009.[7]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2014.[1]
- Participated in Synods on the Family, 2014–2015.[1]
- Elected president of SECAM, 2019–2023.[1]
- Diagnosed with COVID-19, recovered, 2020.[1]
- Birth date corrected to December 31, 1945, 2025.[2]
- Participates in 2025 papal conclave, 2025.[4]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Ouédraogo were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Ouédraogo were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, but no published books are documented.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 "Philippe Ouédraogo (cardinal)". Wikipedia. 2014-01-12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Ou%C3%A9draogo_(cardinal).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Age mix-up restores Burkina Faso’s eligibility to vote in next conclave". La Croix International. 2025-03-17. https://international.la-croix.com/news/age-mix-up-restores-burkina-fasos-eligibility-to-vote-in-next-conclave/20523.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Cardinal Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo". La Croix. 2014-02-17. https://cardinaux.la-croix.com/philippe-nakellentuba-ouedraogo/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Philippe Ouédraogo". Wikipedia (French). 2013-01-17. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Ou%C3%A9draogo.
- ↑ "Il cardinale Ouédraogo del Burkina Faso voterebbe in conclave per tutto il 2025". la Repubblica. 2025-03-12. https://www.repubblica.it/vaticano/2025/03/12/news/il_cardinale_ouedraogo_del_burkina_faso_voterebbe_in_conclave_per_tutto_il_2025-5287975/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Philippe Nakellentuba Cardinal Ouédraogo". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/boued.html.