As the Catholic Church prepares to elect its next pope, hopes are rekindled for an African leader at the helm, but concerns over ageism and sexual abuse threaten to derail the process.
The death of Pope Francis has reignited hopes for the first African leader to be installed at the helm of the Catholic Church in modern times. However, there are reasons to believe that their time may not have come yet.
Pope Francis was widely known as ‘the people’s pope’ during his 12-year papacy, and many Catholics in Africa felt a kinship with him due to his simple and humble approach to leadership. The stakes for his succession are high, and many believers hope that the next pope will emulate his attributes.
African Cardinals: Potential Candidates
Two African cardinals have emerged as potential frontrunners in the upcoming conclave: Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson and Democratic Republic of Congo‘s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. Both men have been cited for their virtues, including humility, compassion, and a commitment to peace.
Cardinal Turkson, who is 76 years old, has a long history of promoting justice and peace, particularly in Ghana. His experience as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace makes him an attractive candidate.
Cardinal Peter Turkson is a Ghanaian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
He was born on October 27, 1948, in Cape Coast, Ghana.
Turkson served as the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017.
He played a key role in shaping the Catholic Church's stance on social justice issues.
In 2022, Pope Francis appointed him as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
On the other hand, Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, who is 65 years old, has been a vocal critic of ‘same-sex blessings’, which may be seen as a plus by some Africans. However, this stance could also be viewed as a disadvantage in the conclave.
African Perspective: What’s at Stake
For many Africans, the election of an African pope represents a victory for their continent to show that they are capable of leading the church. They hope that the next pope will reflect their values and priorities.
However, not everyone is optimistic about the chances of either Turkson or Ambongo Besungu making it to the top. Experts point out that ageism may be a factor, with some arguing that the next pope could reign for decades on end.
The issue of sexual abuse within the church also remains a concern in Africa, where the subject is largely taboo. Cardinals attending the conclave may hesitate to vote for a candidate whose position on this issue could be interpreted as soft or ambiguous.
Sexual abuse is a form of exploitation where one person uses power, coercion, or manipulation to engage another in non-consensual sexual activity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three women and one in five men worldwide have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence.
The most common perpetrators are intimate partners or family members.
Symptoms of sexual abuse may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and difficulty with trust and intimacy.
A New Era?
As the Catholic Church prepares to elect its next pope, many are looking to Africa for leadership. The question is whether an African pope can bring about a new era of hope and renewal to the church.
The Catholic Church has had popes from various ethnic and national backgrounds throughout history. However, there is no record of a pope being born in Africa. The term 'African pope' often refers to Pope Victor I, who may have been of North African descent or origin. He ruled the church from 189-199 AD. Archaeological evidence suggests that early Christian communities existed in Egypt and other parts of Africa during this period.
Ultimately, the decision will be difficult one, but it’s clear that the next pope must reflect the values and priorities of the global community, including those in Africa.
