It's a very crucial time for Roman Catholics all across the world. Pope Benedict decided to step down after being leader of the Catholic church since 2005. The reasons for his decision to step down are not fully known but just like with everything in this information age people are speculating on WHY? The question WHY is not as important as WHO at this point, the Catholic church needs a new Pope and at this moment that is the most important of all questions... WHO will be the next Pope?
Some think it's time for an AFRICAN Pope and with the number of Catholic believers growing at a 20% rate since 2005 making the West Coast of Africa one of the only places Catholicism is actually GROWING and not depleting. There are so many African Priests in the Catholic church that many of them are sent to Europe to adhere to a growing shortage they face and have been facing for years.
So of course there would be a representation of their success in the form of an African Cardinal being considered for Pope. That person is 64 year old Cardinal Peter Turkson, born in Nsuta Wassa, in Western Ghana; the fourth of ten children.
Turkson ran the Cape Coast archdiocese for nearly 20 years. In that time the Cardinal helped open Mercy Hospital, a facility that focuses on women’s healthcare.
In 2009, Turkson was promoted to President of the Pontifical Council of Peace and Justice by Pope Benedict. The Pontifical council of Peace and Justice focus on war and good business practices.
This experience, combined with his character and education (Turkson also speaks eight languages), and the skills he learned as head of a diocese; have led many to consider him a well-rounded candidate for the top job.
When the Conclave has finished voting and can agree on a new appointed Pope we'll see the outpouring of white smoke from the chimney of the Sistene Chapel in Vatican City, Rome. Until then all we can do is wait...
What do you think?
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