Ghana’s Cardinal Turkson Is Fully Qualified In Age And Experience To Be Pope; But Is The Vatican Ready For An African Pope?

Let’s get one thing straight: the excitement over Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson being a top contender for Pope is understandable, but let’s not fool ourselves—the Vatican isn’t a democracy, and African hope alone won’t break 1,500 years of European dominance.

Yes, Cardinal Turkson is qualified. Yes, he’s respected. And yes, it would be historic—the first Black Pope, a moment of pride for Ghana and Africa. But before we start draping ourselves in Vatican flags, let’s ask the real question: Does the Catholic Church actually want change, or does it just like the idea of looking like it does?

The Vatican’s Comfort Zone

For centuries, the Papacy has been a European boys’ club. Even when they picked an Argentine (Pope Francis), he was of Italian descent—because God forbid the throne of St. Peter goes to someone too foreign. Now, with Catholicism booming in Africa while European pews gather dust, they’re suddenly whispering about “diversity.” Convenient.

Cardinal Turkson checks boxes—he’s from the Global South, he’s diplomatic, he’s theologically sound. But let’s not pretend this is purely about merit. If it were, why has no African even come close before? Why was Francis’ papacy hailed as “progressive” when all he did was talk about the poor while the Church’s power structures remained untouched?

Cardinal Turkson’s Baggage—Real or Manufactured?

Of course, the moment an African rises, the scrutiny intensifies. Turkson’s 2013 comment linking homosexuality to abuse scandals will be weaponized—never mind that half the Cardinals in that room have worse skeletons. The West will clutch its pearls over his stance on LGBTQ+ issues, ignoring that the Church’s official doctrine is still anti-gay.

But here’s the hypocrisy: When a European Cardinal opposes same-sex marriage, he’s “traditional.” When an African does it, he’s “backward.” Funny how that works.

The Real Stumbling Block: Power

Let’s be honest—the Vatican isn’t just electing a spiritual leader; it’s protecting an empire. And empires don’t hand over the keys easily. The old guard will argue Turkson is “too African,” that the Church “isn’t ready,” that his election would “alienate traditionalists.” Translation: We’d rather keep control than reflect the actual Catholic flock.

And let’s not forget the African elite’s role in this. The same people shouting for Turkson today were silent when the Church covered up abuses in Ghana or when local priests lived like kings while their congregations starved. If Cardinal Turkson becomes Pope, will they hold him accountable, or just use him for clout?

The Best Case—And the Likely One

The ideal scenario? Turkson wins, brings African perspectives to the forefront, and forces the Church to confront its hypocrisy on poverty, colonialism, and justice.

The likely scenario? Another European or Latin American “compromise candidate” gets picked, and the Church pats itself on the back for “considering diversity” while changing nothing.

Final Thought

I’m not against Turkson—far from it. But blind celebration without asking hard questions is how we end up with symbolic victories and zero real change. If he wins, it’ll be monumental. If he doesn’t, it won’t be because he wasn’t good enough—it’ll be because the Vatican wasn’t ready.

Either way, Ghana shouldn’t wait for a Pope to validate its faith. The Church is global, but salvation isn’t handed down from Rome—it’s built right here.

So pray if you must. But keep your eyes open.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com