Will the next pope be black?
With Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, Catholic leaders have begun the voting process for a new pope. Around the world speculation is rife and fierce debates rage on about who will emerge as the next pope. So
far, two Africans have emerged as potential successors for the post. But will racism stop a black pope from being elected. While most Catholics according to recent statistics favour a pope from the developing world, one who understands what it is to be an ordinary Christian in the modern world. On the other hand, there is still deep rooted racism in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe which may stop a black pope from being elected. In addition, seventy per cent of those who have the power to elect in the Vatican are white European and that's where the problem is. History records show that there have been three African popes and, another African at the helm is not news.
Here are the likely contenders:
Francis Arinze, who was born in Eziowelle in Nigeria. He has always been a favoutrite to become pope. He was born into a family where African traditional religion was practiced but was sent to an Irish missionary school where he decided to become a priest.
He was ordained in 1958 and went on to teach liturgy, logic and basic philosophy at Bigard Memorial Seminary at Enugu in south-eastern Nigeria and study at the Institute of Pedagogy in London. He was 32 when he was consecrated bishop on August 1965, and became archbishop two years later. Arinze witnessed the horrors of conflict first-hand during the civil war between Nigeria and Biafran secessionists, and was later asked by John Paul II to lead what is now the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which is responsible for managing the Vatican's relationships with other faiths.John Paul II made him cardinal in May 1985.
Special gifts: His ability to get on with those outside the Vatican. A social and theological conservative, Arinze's views on celibacy, women priests, homosexuality and contraception are considered close to those of Benedict XVI.
Special gifts: Turkson speaks his native Ghanaian language, Fante, as well as other Ghanaian languages and English, French, Italian, German and Hebrew, as well as understanding Latin and Greek. He is younger than Arinze and was called "one of Africa's most energetic church leaders" by The Tablet, an influential British Catholic magazine.
With Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, Catholic leaders have begun the voting process for a new pope. Around the world speculation is rife and fierce debates rage on about who will emerge as the next pope. So
far, two Africans have emerged as potential successors for the post. But will racism stop a black pope from being elected. While most Catholics according to recent statistics favour a pope from the developing world, one who understands what it is to be an ordinary Christian in the modern world. On the other hand, there is still deep rooted racism in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe which may stop a black pope from being elected. In addition, seventy per cent of those who have the power to elect in the Vatican are white European and that's where the problem is. History records show that there have been three African popes and, another African at the helm is not news.
Here are the likely contenders:
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| Cardinal Arinze. Photo: Catholic Times |
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| Cardianal Turkson Photo: Laikos |
Cardinal Peter Arinze (Nigeria)
Born: November 1, 1932Francis Arinze, who was born in Eziowelle in Nigeria. He has always been a favoutrite to become pope. He was born into a family where African traditional religion was practiced but was sent to an Irish missionary school where he decided to become a priest.
He was ordained in 1958 and went on to teach liturgy, logic and basic philosophy at Bigard Memorial Seminary at Enugu in south-eastern Nigeria and study at the Institute of Pedagogy in London. He was 32 when he was consecrated bishop on August 1965, and became archbishop two years later. Arinze witnessed the horrors of conflict first-hand during the civil war between Nigeria and Biafran secessionists, and was later asked by John Paul II to lead what is now the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which is responsible for managing the Vatican's relationships with other faiths.John Paul II made him cardinal in May 1985.
Special gifts: His ability to get on with those outside the Vatican. A social and theological conservative, Arinze's views on celibacy, women priests, homosexuality and contraception are considered close to those of Benedict XVI.
Special gifts: Turkson speaks his native Ghanaian language, Fante, as well as other Ghanaian languages and English, French, Italian, German and Hebrew, as well as understanding Latin and Greek. He is younger than Arinze and was called "one of Africa's most energetic church leaders" by The Tablet, an influential British Catholic magazine.
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