Peter Okpaleke was born into the family of Reuben Ezeuko Okpaleke and Ekejimma Okpaleke (both of blessed memory), of Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is the fourth of nine children.
Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke attended Oganiru Primary School, Uga between 1971 and 1976; Boys Secondary School, Uga from 1976-1981; St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha from 1982 to 1983; Bigard Memorial Seminary (now St. Joseph Major Seminary) Ikot – Ekpene from 1983 to 1987. He did his one year apostolic work at St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha before being sent to Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu (1988-1992) for his theological studies.
Peter Okpaleke was ordained a priest on August 22, 1992 by Late Most Rev. Simon A. Okafor, the then Bishop of Awka Diocese. After ordination, he was appointed the Assistant Secretary to the Bishop and he served in this capacity till 1995 when he was asked to go to the Catholic Institute of West Africa (C.I.W.A.) for post-graduate studies in Cannon Law (1995-1997). On his return to the Diocese, after his Master’s Degree program, he was appointed the Diocesan Financial Administrator as well as Vicar at St. Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (1997-1998). From 1998-1999, he became the Chaplain of St. Joseph the Worker Chaplaincy and combined this with his work as the Diocesan Financial Administrator.
In 1999, Peter Okpaleke was sent to Pontificia Universita Della Santa Croce, Rome where he obtained a Licentiate and a Doctorate Degree in Canon (1999-2002) as well as a Diploma in Ecclesiastical Administration (2002). To the glory of God, Peter Okpaleke demonstrated his intellectual endowment by consistently obtaining First Class Honors in most of the examinations he took in the course of his studies both in Nigeria and abroad.
On his return to Nigeria, Peter Opklaleke was appointed Parish Administrator of St. Anthony’s parish Nanka (March 2002-October 5, 2002) and then the Diocesan Chancellor, a post he held for nine years (2002-2011). Except for the periods he was away on studies, he had been one of the Diocesan Masters of Ceremonies from the time of his ordination in 1992 till 2011. From 2011 till his Episcopal appointment, Peter Okpaleke was the Parish priest of Ss. John and Paul, Umubele, Awka.
Bishop Okpaleke has served on many Boards, Commissions and Committees. These include the Finance council (1992-1999; 2002 till Episcopal appointment); Pastoral Council (1992-1995;1997-1999; 2002 till Episcopal appointment); Diocesan Board of Examiners (2002 till Episcaopal appointment); Presbyteral Council (2002 till Episcopal appointment); College of Deans (2002-2011); Priests Education Commission (2007 till Episcopal appointment); Committee on the Creation of Parishes (2005 till Episcopal appointment) and Judge, Onitsha Inter-diocesan Marriage Tribunal (2007 till Episcopal appointment). Peter Okpaleke was the secretary of some of these Boards and Commissions such as the Pastoral Council (2002-1011; the Presbyteral Council (2002-2011); the College of Deans (2002-2011).
Since 1995, Peter Okpaleke has been a member of the Cannon Law Society of Nigeria and, in 2009 he was elected Coordinator of Research and Publication of this body till now.
Peter Okpaleke has also served in some commissions set up by the government. For example, he was a member of the Awka South Task Force on Petroleum (1993) and member of the Aguata Local Government Education Authority (1993-1995).
In spite of his administrative engagements, Peter Okpaleke found time to write and publish. He has nine books/monographs to his credit. The title are: The Administrator of Diocesan Property (2002); Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in the Church (2004); Irregular Unions (Marriages) and Denial of the Reception of Holy Communion (2004); Pastoral Visitation: Towards Knowing the Significance and Necessary Preparations (2006); The Role of Deans in Diocesan Apostolate (2008); The Establishment, Competence, Functions and Organization of Diocesan Pastoral Council (2010); I Believe in the Communion of Saints (2011); Consultative Process and Not Democracy in the Catholic Church (2012).
Peter Okpaleke has reading , researching, and writing as hi hobbies
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