Prospect of a black Pope comes closer to reality

[lemonbeam]

*Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana appointed to senior post at the end of the African Synod
*

The prospect of a black Pope moved closer at the weekend as Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana to head the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a post equivalent to Vatican justice minister, at the end of a three-week African Synod.

At the start of the synod Cardinal Turkson, 61, the Archbishop of Cape Coast, was asked if the next Pope could be an African, given that the United States had elected Barack Obama as its first black President. He replied: “Why not?”

The Justice and Peace department, which advises the Pope on issues such as human rights and immigration, is currently headed by Cardinal Renato Martino of Italy, a former Vatican Permanent Observer at the United Nations, who will turn 77 next month and is retiring.

Some observers believed a Third World pontiff would be chosen after the death of Pope John Paul II four years ago, to reflect the universality of the Church and the importance of Roman Catholicism in the developing world. Speculation focused on Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria.

However in the end the College of Cardinals opted for continuity, choosing not an African or Latin American Pope but Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, who had been John Paul’s right hand man as head of doctrine and took the name Benedict XVI. Cardinal Arinze, 77, last year retired from his post as head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which oversees liturgy, and is no longer considered “palpable”.

Read more: timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6894203.ece

 

[Jordan9]

He certainly seems able and qualified.

 

[rlg94086]

If the Holy Spirit chooses a black Pope, then we will have a black Pope. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire the Cardinals to vote in the best shepherd, whatever his skin color.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I believe some of the early Popes were black.

But to hope for a leader to be chosen on the basis of race or nationality is both racist and wrong.

 

[A.Pelliccio]

There were African Popes in the early church, but at this time these areas were Roman provinces, and it was pre-Arab invasion. I do not know what the ethnic makeup was, but in theory one of those Popes may have been black.

The real point, it does not matter. May God grant our current Holy Father many years of health, wisdom, and strength and that his successor may be orthodox and fearless in defense of the faith.

 

[beckers]

and this is a story because??? Seriously i could not care what color the man’s skin color is. It doesn’t define him as a person. The holy spirt will continue to guide the church and its leaders…

Seriously I am just glad we have moved away from all the italians. A polish man and now a german. Exciting times!

 

[Catholic1954]

The Holy Spirit chooses the Pope. The cardinals just radify the decision, an ethnic background check is not on the application.

 

[JReducation]

This is the silliest artcle that I have ever read. The next pope will be whomever the Holy Spirit chooses. He can ever surprise us with an American. It’s funny how the media wants to start this guessing game while Pope Benedict XVI doesn’t seem to have any plans of going anywhere soon.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

There were African Popes in the early church, but at this time these areas were Roman provinces, and it was pre-Arab invasion. I do not know what the ethnic makeup was, but in theory one of those Popes may have been black.

The real point, it does not matter. May God grant our current Holy Father many years of health, wisdom, and strength and that his successor may be orthodox and fearless in defense of the faith.

Amen!

 

[Brendan]

The Holy Spirit chooses the Pope. The cardinals just radify the decision, an ethnic background check is not on the application.

No, not really. The Holy Spirit’s promise is not to choose an infallable person, but to simply prevent the person chosen from falling into error.

We’ve had some real dozies sitting in the Chair of Peter, men who thought nothing about taking bribes and fathering children. But even then, not one taught doctrinal error.

It is helpful if the Cardinals choose to listen to the Holy Spirit when they vote (understatement of the year) , but the Holy Spirit respects free will and does not do the voting for them.

 

[JReducation]

No, not really. The Holy Spirit’s promise is not to choose an infallable person, but to simply prevent the person chosen from falling into error.

We’ve had some real dozies sitting in the Chair of Peter, men who thought nothing about taking bribes and fathering children. But even then, not one taught doctrinal error.

It is helpful if the Cardinals choose to listen to the Holy Spirit when they vote (understatement of the year) , but the Holy Spirit respects free will and does not do the voting for them.

Let’s not forget that Christ chose Peter as the first pope. The fact is that John was much better intellectual and spiritual material than Peter was. John was a scholar and a mystic. Peter was niether. But Jesus was not looking for the saint to lead his Church. He was looking for the man through whom the Spirit would work best.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[barb_finnegan]

This is the silliest artcle that I have ever read. The next pope will be whomever the Holy Spirit chooses. He can ever surprise us with an American. It’s funny how the media wants to start this guessing game while Pope Benedict XVI doesn’t seem to have any plans of going anywhere soon.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

You got that right, Bro! :yup: Must have been a ‘slow news day’ when this was picked up off the wires…

I’d like to see Archbishop Burke as Pope-if he ever gets that red hat…

 

[cyberwolf001]

I believe some of the early Popes were black.

But to hope for a leader to be chosen on the basis of race or nationality is both racist and wrong.

Two actually. They are sometimes depicted as caucasian in art and icons however…

 

[Montalo]

Hopefully, this entire thing will not even be relevant for many more years, for i do not wish Papa Bendicitus XVI to go anywhere

if he does, then we shall mourn, but realize it is the will of God

 

[bigfootbob]

I’d like to see Archbishop Burke as Pope-if he ever gets that red hat…

That would be cool… he was our last bishop here.

 

[JReducation]

I’d like to see either Archbishop Chaput or Cardinal Sean. We have not had a Franciscan since John XXIII and we’ve never had an American. But I’ll settle for whomever the Holy Spirit selects.

By the way, the pope does not have to be a cardinal. Cardinals are the only ones who vote. The code of canon law of 1983 says that the pope can be any bishop. It used to be any baptized Catholic in communion with the Church, this included lay men and religious brothers. I believe we’ve had one lay man and two religious brothers elected in the history of the Church, a long long time ago. They were elected, ordained deacon, ordained priest, ordained bishop and installed. They did it over a period of one week.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[rlg94086]

Two actually. They are sometimes depicted as caucasian in art and icons however…

There were three African popes. They were from modern Tunisia/Libya, so don’t assume they were black. Most Northern Africans are not black, and they didn’t have cameras back then.

 

[rlg94086]

I’d like to see either Archbishop Chaput or Cardinal Sean. We have not had a Franciscan since John XXIII and we’ve never had an American. But I’ll settle for whomever the Holy Spirit selects.

By the way, the pope does not have to be a cardinal. Cardinals are the only ones who vote. The code of canon law of 1983 says that the pope can be any bishop. It used to be any baptized Catholic in communion with the Church, this included lay men and religious brothers. I believe we’ve had one lay man and two religious brothers elected in the history of the Church, a long long time ago. They were elected, ordained deacon, ordained priest, ordained bishop and installed. They did it over a period of one week.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I’ll second that!

I guess since ethnicity is so incredibly important, we should go for Chaput…first Native American Pope!

 

[Sonic]

I’ll second that!

I guess since ethnicity is so incredibly important, we should go for Chaput…first Native American Pope!

A Native American Pope would be cool, but I’m not ready speculate on the next one yet. Our German Pope hasn’t been called home yet. I’ve grown very fond of him, you know.

 

[JReducation]

A Native American Pope would be cool, but I’m not ready speculate on the next one yet. Our German Pope hasn’t been called home yet. I’ve grown very fond of him, you know.

Don’t get me wrong. I have loved both John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Both have brought very important gifts to the Church. I loved John Paul’s passion for youth and his effectiveness in bringing many young people to the Church and to the religious life. And I love Benedict’s writings. He is a bright light and has a wonderful insight into Christology.

No pope lasts forever. When Benedict goes, if I’m still around, I would love to see one of these guys get elected. That being said, I had never stopped to remember that Charlie is also a Native American and a Canadian too. He would be the first Native American Canadian US Citizen to become pope. I didn’t know quite how to write all that. I thought Native American Canadian-American, but that sounded awkward. LOL

John XXIII was a Franciscan, but he was not a brother. Charlie and Sean are religious brothers. We have not has a Franciscan brother as pope in centuries.

Hey , call me bias.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF