Accra, March 10, GNA - Peter Cardinal Poreku Dery is dead. He died on March 6 2008, the Vatican website has said.

A telegrammed message sent to the Most Reverend Gregory Ebo Kpiebaya, Archbishop of Tamale Archdiocese and Mr Alipo Poreku, the Cardinal's Brother, by Pope Benedictus XVI said: "Having learned with sadness the death of Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery, Archbishop Emeritus of Tamale, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and to the Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese.

The message said: "This devoted Pastor has left behind a shining legacy of prayer, humble obedience to the will of God and love of neighbour. He gave himself with generous heart his priestly and Episcopal ministry at the service of the faithful of the Diocese of Wa and Archdiocese of Tamale for many years, preaching the Gospel in difficult conditions with the love of a father, great zeal and simplicity of heart; constantly attentive to the needs of the poor.

" As I commend his soul to the loving mercy of our Heavenly Father and as a pledge of consolation and strength to those, who mourn. I cordially impart my apostolic blessing to all present at the solemn liturgical celebration," Pope Benedictus said.