Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Kukah to Vatican Council on Human Development

The Vatican has appointed Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto as a member of the Council of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, reinforcing his longstanding contribution to global Church dialogue and social advocacy.

The appointment was conveyed in an official letter issued by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, and signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Bishop Kukah will serve a five-year term alongside an international team of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops drawn from across the world.

Among them are Cardinal Walter McElroy of Washington, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Cardinal Conrad Krajewski of Poland, and Archbishop Fulgence Mugalu of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Notably, Bishop Kukah had earlier been appointed to the same Council in 2022 following its reconstitution by Pope Francis. The Dicastery plays a central role in advancing the Catholic Church’s social teachings, addressing critical global issues such as environmental protection, human rights, migration, social ethics, and sustainable human development.

Bishop Kukah brings decades of experience in interreligious dialogue and global engagement. He previously served on the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, following his appointment by Pope John Paul II in 1996 and reappointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

He was also part of the Vatican delegation to Qatar in 2005 during the establishment of diplomatic relations.

More recently, he served on the advisory board of the King Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious Dialogue (KAICIID) from 2018 to 2025.

Reacting to the development, Bishop Kukah expressed gratitude to the Holy Father, describing the appointment as a humbling opportunity to serve. He noted that the Dicastery’s thematic focus aligns closely with his academic and pastoral interests, adding that he is committed to promoting Catholic values in addressing global challenges.

The Council also announced the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Okechukwu, Director of Health Services at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, alongside other clergy and lay experts expected to contribute their expertise to the Council’s mission.