Cardinal Turkson will not be first African Pope

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Dziko Kwame 12 years ago

I am no master of the English Language, but the heading of this article:

"Cardinal Turkson will not be first African Pope"

to me, seeks to rather state that his chaces aren't there; that his being considered does not l ...
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I am no master of the English Language, but the heading of this article:

"Cardinal Turkson will not be first African Pope"

to me, seeks to rather state that his chaces aren't there; that his being considered does not look possible, I mean when one considers the HEADING of the article.

I need some help from you readers.

Cheers and long live Ghana
BOSS 12 years ago

Kofi, this time you got it all wrong, the Pope has been the leader for almost 8 years not 5 years as you stated. Next time get your facts right.

Kofi, this time you got it all wrong, the Pope has been the leader for almost 8 years not 5 years as you stated. Next time get your facts right.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Boss, to be honest, I just do not know how I arrived at the 5 years. I know Pope Benedict was elected in 2005 so it's a mystery how I tried to change times. Thank you for the correction.

Boss, to be honest, I just do not know how I arrived at the 5 years. I know Pope Benedict was elected in 2005 so it's a mystery how I tried to change times. Thank you for the correction.
bob m 12 years ago

Why is that a crime? just consider tat a mistake. We are all not typists. I thank the author for the filla. I am a catholic but i doubt if a black man will be made pope. I hope all Ghanaian Caholics will hold vigils say the ...
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Why is that a crime? just consider tat a mistake. We are all not typists. I thank the author for the filla. I am a catholic but i doubt if a black man will be made pope. I hope all Ghanaian Caholics will hold vigils say the rosary for my man Turkson. I love cardinal Turkson because unlike Palmer Buckle he is not a politician.
Gye Nyame 12 years ago

I hope you remember now long it took for a non-Italian pope to be selected. There is more politics involed than prayers/spiritual interventions. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Turkson but will be pleasantly surprised if ...
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I hope you remember now long it took for a non-Italian pope to be selected. There is more politics involed than prayers/spiritual interventions. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Turkson but will be pleasantly surprised if they select him.
luck 12 years ago

I sincerely agree with you.I almost nearly did not read it because i was disappointment about the pessimistic head line impression of the writer.If it were not for the pedigree of the writer i might not have read it.Having sa ...
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I sincerely agree with you.I almost nearly did not read it because i was disappointment about the pessimistic head line impression of the writer.If it were not for the pedigree of the writer i might not have read it.Having said that what a bonus will such appointment mean to the Ghanaian psyche.We have to pray for him because we need that boast for everything to fall in place.Like he said its God who will make the appointment so lets hope for the best.
nana 12 years ago

he wrote that there have been 3 african popes already. so even if Cardinal Turkson wins, HE WONT BE THE FIRST AFRICAN POPE

he wrote that there have been 3 african popes already. so even if Cardinal Turkson wins, HE WONT BE THE FIRST AFRICAN POPE
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Dziko and Luck, you have made a good point and it's well taken. Perhaps, I should have headed it, "Cardinal Turkson will not be the first African Pope". By the way, I am glad you did not judge the book by its cover as the hea ...
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Dziko and Luck, you have made a good point and it's well taken. Perhaps, I should have headed it, "Cardinal Turkson will not be the first African Pope". By the way, I am glad you did not judge the book by its cover as the heading did not put you off from reading the article. I apologise if the title gave the impression that I was persmistic about his chances. Far from it and have been praying for such an honour to be bestowed on a fellow Ghanaian despite my apprehension regarding the Bookmakers and the media predictions
GOOD CALL 12 years ago

Your article is correct but the heading is wrong. You could have just added a question mark to the heading. Good and informative though.

Your article is correct but the heading is wrong. You could have just added a question mark to the heading. Good and informative though.
Somebody 12 years ago

Well well well. Do not equate anything to the Father Son and Holy Spirit that way. Otherwise you will end up blaspheming big time.?Have?you?heard?about?Dr.?Alex?Quaison- Sackey from Winneba, Ghana? Give you a little homework. ...
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Well well well. Do not equate anything to the Father Son and Holy Spirit that way. Otherwise you will end up blaspheming big time.?Have?you?heard?about?Dr.?Alex?Quaison- Sackey from Winneba, Ghana? Give you a little homework. Find out yourself who he was, since you seem to know some history.

Somebody 12 years ago

Well well well. Do not equate anything to the Father Son and Holy Spirit that way. Otherwise you will end up blaspheming big time.Have you heard about Dr. Alex Quaison- Sackey from Winneba, Ghana? Give you a little homework. ...
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Well well well. Do not equate anything to the Father Son and Holy Spirit that way. Otherwise you will end up blaspheming big time.Have you heard about Dr. Alex Quaison- Sackey from Winneba, Ghana? Give you a little homework. Find out yourself who he was, since you seem to know some history.
Wofa 12 years ago

Quaison Sackey was the president of the United Nations General Assembly in the sixties. You cannot compare this to the secretary generals post.The President presides over the sessions of the General Assembly. These are 2 diff ...
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Quaison Sackey was the president of the United Nations General Assembly in the sixties. You cannot compare this to the secretary generals post.The President presides over the sessions of the General Assembly. These are 2 diff posts. In particular, it is customary that a national of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council never serves as General Assembly president.
jb 12 years ago

some of these guys are poorly educated

some of these guys are poorly educated
VAQ 12 years ago

WOFA, I LIKE YOUR EXPLANATION, GOOD JOB, EDUCATIONAL.

WOFA, I LIKE YOUR EXPLANATION, GOOD JOB, EDUCATIONAL.
Adobah 12 years ago

He wasn't a Pope for sure!

He wasn't a Pope for sure!
Thomas 12 years ago

This is the best article I have read in months. Cardinal Turkson works at the Vatican. He understands the politics quite well. He probably knows that his election will be more traumatic than the news of the Popes resignation. ...
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This is the best article I have read in months. Cardinal Turkson works at the Vatican. He understands the politics quite well. He probably knows that his election will be more traumatic than the news of the Popes resignation. I would also like him to become Pope because apart from being a brilliant scholar he is my countryman. But they will quickly turn round to say that the color of his skin is affecting everything negatively.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Somebody, I do remember the 3rd Commandment very well and will never take the Lord thy God in vain. It was just an expression to indicate how great such a global honour will add to the existing Ghanaian global personalities. ...
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Somebody, I do remember the 3rd Commandment very well and will never take the Lord thy God in vain. It was just an expression to indicate how great such a global honour will add to the existing Ghanaian global personalities. In fact, the election of Cardinal Turkson as Pope will be the icing on the cake for Ghana. Let's us not be judgemental and also relax a bit on this forum. I hope I have not offended my follow liberal Christians or or even the fundamentalists.

I think Wofa has responded to your second point so I need not repeat it but just to add that I was perfectly aware of Dr Alex Quayson Sackey's feats at the UN.
Nyansa 12 years ago

Irrespective of the heading, this surely is a well written piece. Folks lets be real for once.

Irrespective of the heading, this surely is a well written piece. Folks lets be real for once.
Constantine Nanguo 12 years ago

I do agree with the ideas and concerns expressed by the writer. Cardinal Turkson himself has to be careful about his remarks concerning his candidature. He should have refused any media interviews concerning this subject. Let ...
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I do agree with the ideas and concerns expressed by the writer. Cardinal Turkson himself has to be careful about his remarks concerning his candidature. He should have refused any media interviews concerning this subject. Let us all remember that 'He who enters Conclave as a Pope leaves it as a Cardinal.'
We should at all times be weary of the actions and pronouncements of our white folks. Just as we (Ghanaians) desire a Ghanaian Pope so will the Eroupeans (more so the Italians) also want somebody from their ranks.
LONTO-BOY 12 years ago

MASSA KOFI, this is a good piece. And it's great to know we share the same Catholic faith. I think the Media and Bookmakers may have jinxed the chances of Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson. The Media and Bookmakers speculations ...
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MASSA KOFI, this is a good piece. And it's great to know we share the same Catholic faith. I think the Media and Bookmakers may have jinxed the chances of Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson. The Media and Bookmakers speculations on Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana as among the leading contenders to be the 'First Black Pope' is based on ignorance of the mysterious processes and secret ballots that take place behind closed doors at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican. This cannot be compared with scenario of a Black man positioning himself for a political position on the world stage.

The leadership, intellectual and ecumenical qualities of Cardinal Turkson, his more 'youthful' age at 64, his colour and continent counts for nothing. It's about who can lead the billions of catholics in the world in the values and vision of the Church and its ecumenical relationship with world's faith and global leaders. I wish Cardinal Turkson, good luck as I had the honour of reading Bible at a Mass he presided.

K. Afrane 12 years ago

The Cardinal should not have given those interviews. I am concerned about that. The last thing you want to do at a time like this is to put your face out there, rather leave people to wonder

The Cardinal should not have given those interviews. I am concerned about that. The last thing you want to do at a time like this is to put your face out there, rather leave people to wonder
Ekow Amonoo 12 years ago

When the current Pope was elected Cardinal Turkson visited Chicago and both the Ghanaian Catholic Catholic community and Ghanaian Non-Catholics had the opportunity to celebrate a mass and had a communty meeting with him. Duri ...
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When the current Pope was elected Cardinal Turkson visited Chicago and both the Ghanaian Catholic Catholic community and Ghanaian Non-Catholics had the opportunity to celebrate a mass and had a communty meeting with him. During the Questions and Answers section I asked him If he thinks there would ever be a Black Pope and he cited the election of Mr Kofi Annan to the position of the United Nation secretary General and the election of President Barack Obama as the president of the USA as a positve sign that a backperson could be elected as a Pope.He also mentioned recently that God chooses the pope.God works in mysterious ways so let's hold our horses and wait on the Lord
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

My good brother, how are you doing? You have been missing on this forum for sometime. I hope everything is fine except that you have just been busy. Nice to see you back and to read your usual positive contributions.

My good brother, how are you doing? You have been missing on this forum for sometime. I hope everything is fine except that you have just been busy. Nice to see you back and to read your usual positive contributions.
Thomas 12 years ago

The heading of this article is right. The author is saying that cardinal Turkson even if he will become the next pope will not be the first African pope.

The heading of this article is right. The author is saying that cardinal Turkson even if he will become the next pope will not be the first African pope.
J, a Ghanaian Catholic 12 years ago

What? Cardinal Turkson as Pope? Never!It will not happen! It should not happen! Amen! I am Ghanaian and a catholic but I do not see Turkson as Pope. Electing the pope has nothing to do with national pride or chauvenism as man ...
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What? Cardinal Turkson as Pope? Never!It will not happen! It should not happen! Amen! I am Ghanaian and a catholic but I do not see Turkson as Pope. Electing the pope has nothing to do with national pride or chauvenism as many of our compatriots and many non analysing catholics seem to portray because Turkson is from Ghana. My question is simple: what has he done so special to impress the catholic church, the world and Ghanaians in particular to the extend that you think he is fit to become pope?
To your information: the guy messed up in the Philipines when he went there some time ago to attend an international conference. He showed a film and spoke ill of moslems. Philipines has a good number of muslems. It was imprudent and lack of judgement on his part as an official of the Holy See. Will you make such a fellow pope? What a pope we will have then.!? Again, in Germany at a conference on environmental destruction, and land grabing etc in African countries, the man ("Pope to be") got up to declare that the problem does not exist in Ghana and that if it were so he would be the first to go and tell the government. Some one told in his face to get in the next plane and go and tell the government because it is really happening and every one knows it, the only one who denies it is him.
If he says it does not exist in Ghana he is simply ignorant, or a hypocrite and in league with those who are dispossessing the poor people of their lands. You know Germans are what they are and tell you their mind right in your face and not behind you.
Dear Ghanaians, you know of the environmental and the land issues in Ghana; how multinationals and powerful people, rich people are dispossessing people of their rightful use of their ancestral lands in Ghana, lands on which the livelihood of these poor people is in symbios. This is the person you tout as possible pope for the catholic church? NO. Goodness! NO NO NO! Not him. He is someone who has not his head on his shoulders but in the clouds. He may be a good talker, but those who reason and analyse his talk observe that it is emptiness, vanity of vanity. Nobody eats talks. You can bet any thing he is not the right person to be pope. That unpardonable mistake will not be made, especially not by the Catholic Church under the guidance of the Spirit which has enabled it to withstands the shocks through history to date. Caressing the idea of being the next pope may appeal to him but in reality he is simply building an immense castle in the air. I know a Ghanaian politician just like Turkson.
oga yum yum 12 years ago

if our Olorun wants him to be the pope, no amount of your lies would prevent him to be in that position, mr. phd.

if our Olorun wants him to be the pope, no amount of your lies would prevent him to be in that position, mr. phd.
Ray 12 years ago

None of the eligible candidates and including Turkson, is a saint. What you just outlined is to say that he is human after all. You didn't prove that he cannot function as a pope. As pope, he will have the extra blessings of ...
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None of the eligible candidates and including Turkson, is a saint. What you just outlined is to say that he is human after all. You didn't prove that he cannot function as a pope. As pope, he will have the extra blessings of the holy trinity and become more than an ordinary person. It will be useful to tell us about one of the candidates who is flawless; a saint, so to speak.
J, a Ghanaian Catholic 12 years ago

Thanks so much for your opinions. No one is a born saint. True! But what makes you particularly desirous that it should be him and not any other cardinal. After all he is not the only African cardinal in the decasteries of th ...
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Thanks so much for your opinions. No one is a born saint. True! But what makes you particularly desirous that it should be him and not any other cardinal. After all he is not the only African cardinal in the decasteries of the HOly See. Tribal politics do not any role there. We will live to see.
BIG BRO 12 years ago

J a catholic from Ghana...You are so mistaken. .and you know it..wondering what motivates you..you can keep going with your misrepresentations. You will stop and when you do remember this forum might not be big enough for th ...
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J a catholic from Ghana...You are so mistaken. .and you know it..wondering what motivates you..you can keep going with your misrepresentations. You will stop and when you do remember this forum might not be big enough for the apologies you would render.
ME 12 years ago

well said brother.

well said brother.

PapaP 12 years ago

When will we stop this negative attitude. Mr. J or whoever you are, I personally know CT and he is A MAN OF HUMBLE HEART and AN INTELLECTUAL HEAD. He is no saint, and just like you and I he can get it wrong. He takes a stand ...
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When will we stop this negative attitude. Mr. J or whoever you are, I personally know CT and he is A MAN OF HUMBLE HEART and AN INTELLECTUAL HEAD. He is no saint, and just like you and I he can get it wrong. He takes a stand and stands for it. He does not hate muslims! Are you kidding? CT has lots of well known international muslim clerics!!! Just google it!
On more thing, he could be building castles in the air, but people see his potential, what are you building yourself? Please, live and let live!!!
DEE 12 years ago

Mr ghanaian catholic do you hate Cardinal Turkson so much.He is a human being and is prone to make a mistake.No one on this earth is perfect.

Mr ghanaian catholic do you hate Cardinal Turkson so much.He is a human being and is prone to make a mistake.No one on this earth is perfect.
Morally good without god 12 years ago

Why no mention of his anti homosexuality views?

He has at least made slightly reasonable comments about condoms/aids on the Afican continent.

Why no mention of his anti homosexuality views?

He has at least made slightly reasonable comments about condoms/aids on the Afican continent.
Constantine Nanguo 12 years ago

I presume with a high degree of certainty that you are not a Catholic. You must a perfectionist of the highest degree who always sees others problems and forget completely about your own shortcomings.

Turkson is a human b ...
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I presume with a high degree of certainty that you are not a Catholic. You must a perfectionist of the highest degree who always sees others problems and forget completely about your own shortcomings.

Turkson is a human being, not an angel. The other possible papabilis also have some scandals on them, probably more serious ones, yet nobody condemns them in the foolish manner with which you done yours. You should be moderate with your words.

It is God we all look up to, Not human beings. Remember David was the most feeble among his brothers but was the one God chose. God will choose the Pope,be it Turkson, Scola or any other cardinal
TROUBLE-MAKER 12 years ago

Kofi,the Pope served for eight years and not five years.He was elected in 2005 at the age of 78.
Cardinal Turkson stand a chance to be Pope and we should all be praying for him.

Kofi,the Pope served for eight years and not five years.He was elected in 2005 at the age of 78.
Cardinal Turkson stand a chance to be Pope and we should all be praying for him.
Opanin 12 years ago

Kofi sorry to divert the topic a little. I am also a Catholic and it is the prayer of all of us that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church Fathers to choose a successor of St Peter who will steer the church in this 21st Centu ...
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Kofi sorry to divert the topic a little. I am also a Catholic and it is the prayer of all of us that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church Fathers to choose a successor of St Peter who will steer the church in this 21st Century, the way our Lord Jesus, the founder of the Catholic Church Himself wants it.

Your articles on the petition to the Supreme Court in Ghana by Nana Akufo Addo & Co on the Dec 2012 elections have been very educative. Now we have a situation where the EC and Dramani Mahama responds to the petition by saying the inflation of the number by 241000 was due to Ghanaians abroad who registered and voted (I hope you were one of them).

Now the EC has submitted 705 as the actual number of Ghanaians abroad who registered and voted. There was a 'genuine' error somewhere between the conflicting figures the EC is playing around. What do you make of all these? Is the EC not fooling itself? Your views please!
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Opanin, I believed I addressed the matter in my article entitled, "What an Historic Supreme Court Judgement", which appeared on Ghanaweb on February 6, 2013. I agree with you that as we get to know more about the further and ...
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Opanin, I believed I addressed the matter in my article entitled, "What an Historic Supreme Court Judgement", which appeared on Ghanaweb on February 6, 2013. I agree with you that as we get to know more about the further and better information provided by all parties in the petition, it would be helpful to revisit this subject relative to their impact on the petition as well as the roles played by especially, the respondents, if the figures do not tally.
MARCUS AMPADU 12 years ago

Kofi Ata, I think it is also important to point out that when Victor l (189-199), Miltiades (310-314), Gelasius (492-496) were elected as Popes, the world was not as racist as it is now.

Racism as a phenomenon started in 1 ...
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Kofi Ata, I think it is also important to point out that when Victor l (189-199), Miltiades (310-314), Gelasius (492-496) were elected as Popes, the world was not as racist as it is now.

Racism as a phenomenon started in 19th century Europe, when the ideology of scientific racism was introduced with the attempt to classify humans.

Many of the leaders of the early Church were Africans. For example, St. Augustine of Hippo.
Victor I, Miltiades, and Gelasius were all canonized as saints. Maybe we need to pray for them to intercede on behalf of Peter Appiah Turkson to be elected as the next Pope.
YAA ANANE 12 years ago

Saint Victor pray for Africans.

Saint Victor pray for Africans.
Kwaku Tee 12 years ago

In fact the first time I heard the interview on BBC that was what came to my mind,that they are reducing his chances of him becoming a pope.You may discount this factor but I know these western media have a way of blowing awa ...
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In fact the first time I heard the interview on BBC that was what came to my mind,that they are reducing his chances of him becoming a pope.You may discount this factor but I know these western media have a way of blowing away people's chance.
MABRUDA 12 years ago

Mabruda, a dey for London. A sabey wetin u dey talk. Yeah, they know how to undo what they do not want by making it look like what they prefer! It has started already. I read the Times in a London library in some bewilderment ...
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Mabruda, a dey for London. A sabey wetin u dey talk. Yeah, they know how to undo what they do not want by making it look like what they prefer! It has started already. I read the Times in a London library in some bewilderment. The final paragraph listed out his failings in leading the Vatican body that he currently heads. Check it out!
ghanaba 12 years ago

what an iliterate, gh bla bla bla. why do we always want to be first to show our emptiness, it has become a national pride like our coach.

what an iliterate, gh bla bla bla. why do we always want to be first to show our emptiness, it has become a national pride like our coach.
MAKEMAKE 12 years ago

What's your point, Oga? You can't even spell illiterate. Get a life.

What's your point, Oga? You can't even spell illiterate. Get a life.
asante 12 years ago

Will be good for Cardinal Turkson. But i pray they seek divine intervention. You know Catholics are very conservative and electing a black pope might cripple the faith in other parts of the world. But if God says, who can di ...
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Will be good for Cardinal Turkson. But i pray they seek divine intervention. You know Catholics are very conservative and electing a black pope might cripple the faith in other parts of the world. But if God says, who can disobey? All the best Cardinal Turkson
Akua Shebang 12 years ago

A black pope? what a wishful thinking!

A black pope? what a wishful thinking!
Morally good without god 12 years ago

The faith is growing strongest in South America and Africa. Every passing year Europeans and Americans (yes there's a loud obnoxious minority) become more tolerant and racially diverse if anything this could draw those people ...
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The faith is growing strongest in South America and Africa. Every passing year Europeans and Americans (yes there's a loud obnoxious minority) become more tolerant and racially diverse if anything this could draw those people back to the faith who are less conservative and had trouble identifying with that nature of the church.
MABRUDA 12 years ago

I greatly appreciate your analysis and the information you provide. As a Ghanaian living in the UK for the last 30 years or so, I have followed the British media with some interest when it comes to "outsiders" moving on in an ...
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I greatly appreciate your analysis and the information you provide. As a Ghanaian living in the UK for the last 30 years or so, I have followed the British media with some interest when it comes to "outsiders" moving on in any sphere. I must agree with your "conspiracy" theory and take your advice to err on the side of caution - (osesekwe).
Ananse, Madrid 12 years ago

I like your article. full stop

I like your article. full stop
Kwesi A 12 years ago

Very nice article however, like others commented,the heading is misleading.

Very nice article however, like others commented,the heading is misleading.
GHFUO, BE SERIOUS NOT PRIDEFUL! 12 years ago

THEY R ALL GAYS IN SMPCKS. CATHOLIC PRIESTS RAPE LITTLE ALTER BOYS AND GO UNPUNISHED. CARDINAL TURKSON WILL BE THE NEW POPE. GAYS, NOW CATHOLICISM WILL BE RAINED DOWN ON THE BLACK RACE. ANYTIME GHE POWERS THAT BE CHOSE A BLAC ...
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THEY R ALL GAYS IN SMPCKS. CATHOLIC PRIESTS RAPE LITTLE ALTER BOYS AND GO UNPUNISHED. CARDINAL TURKSON WILL BE THE NEW POPE. GAYS, NOW CATHOLICISM WILL BE RAINED DOWN ON THE BLACK RACE. ANYTIME GHE POWERS THAT BE CHOSE A BLACK PERSON TO HEAD SOMETHING. THEY ARE INADVERTENTLY SEEKING TO MANIPULATE THAT PARTICULAR RACE. GO AN ASK BLACK PPL HOW THEY R FAR IN AMERICA? NO JOBS... FOR BLACKMAN!
Kofi 12 years ago

What about St Augustine? Kofi check it up.

What about St Augustine? Kofi check it up.
Kwesi - USA 12 years ago

If a white person had written this, we will be jumping all over the place calling it racism.
I am not against anyone routing for someone but I feel this is more spiritual and a call for prayers for the best person to be chos ...
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If a white person had written this, we will be jumping all over the place calling it racism.
I am not against anyone routing for someone but I feel this is more spiritual and a call for prayers for the best person to be chosen to lead the church, not black cardinals to be bold, etc.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Kwesi, I can assure you that irrespective of whoever wrote this article, the contents are not racist in whatever shape of form. I do not know about US Race Legislation but very well versed with UK Race and Equality Legislatio ...
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Kwesi, I can assure you that irrespective of whoever wrote this article, the contents are not racist in whatever shape of form. I do not know about US Race Legislation but very well versed with UK Race and Equality Legislation. In fact, I headed a Race Equality NGO in the UK for six years and will not post anything that would be racist or discriminatory. I will not take advantage of my race, nationality, ethnic or national origins to write an article that would have been considered racist had it been written by a white person.
Dr Robert K Glah 12 years ago

Delete the Trinity blasphemy

Delete the Trinity blasphemy
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Dr Glah, see my earlier response to Luck's comment on the same subject. I apologise if you consider the comparison blasphemous.

Dr Glah, see my earlier response to Luck's comment on the same subject. I apologise if you consider the comparison blasphemous.
Richard Garbrah 12 years ago

We are saying the first black pope! Not the first african pope

We are saying the first black pope! Not the first african pope
Oghenevwaire Akpoviroro 12 years ago

First "Black African Pope"?
No. Africa north of the Sahara was inhabited by black Africans up until the 7th century,so Pope Victor 1 from Tripolitania in North Africa was a black African.

First "Black African Pope"?
No. Africa north of the Sahara was inhabited by black Africans up until the 7th century,so Pope Victor 1 from Tripolitania in North Africa was a black African.
STEVE - LONDON 12 years ago

SPOT ON! I couldn't agree more. He is the person the right wing press dont want and are out reduce his chances.

SPOT ON! I couldn't agree more. He is the person the right wing press dont want and are out reduce his chances.
Ablai 12 years ago

A careful analysis of the situation. I totally agree with the perspective of the article and wish Cardinal Turkson the best. Although there are some few omissions e.g. dates & grammar, I think the title is ok and reflective o ...
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A careful analysis of the situation. I totally agree with the perspective of the article and wish Cardinal Turkson the best. Although there are some few omissions e.g. dates & grammar, I think the title is ok and reflective of the content (contrary to other views).
kofi mensah 12 years ago

If obama qualifies to be called a blackman why does he not qualify to be called a whiteman? is it because what is not whole is enough to be whole for africans?

If obama qualifies to be called a blackman why does he not qualify to be called a whiteman? is it because what is not whole is enough to be whole for africans?
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Kofi Mensah, I am not sure if I described Obama as Black African. On your question of why Obama is not called a whiteman, I do not have the answer but form my knowledge of the subject, it's probably because white people are t ...
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Kofi Mensah, I am not sure if I described Obama as Black African. On your question of why Obama is not called a whiteman, I do not have the answer but form my knowledge of the subject, it's probably because white people are those who are considered to be of hundred percent Caucasian origin. That could very difficult to find in reality if DNA analysis is conducted on all Caucasians.
Since Obama is mixed of Caucasian mother and Black African father, he cannot white, I guess. It is not because what is not whole is good for Africans. By the way, which human is not whole?

There are people of Caucasian and other ethnic mixtures such as Asian, Chinese, etc who are not white but are considered as mixed. For example, there are terms like British Chinese or British Indian.

The subject of race and ethnicity is very complex and again, human beings do not fit into boxes very neatly. I have had colleagues and friends who by their skin colour will pass for Caucasians but because they are of mixed parentage do not consider themselves as whites. Sometimes, it is a matter of choice depending on the consciousness of the individual. For example, I know Indians or Asians who consider themselves as Blacks whilst there are others who will be offended if they are referred to as Blacks though some have darker skin colour than me.

The term race is often misused and as far as I am concerned, there is only one race and that is the human race. The differences in skin colour and other physical appearances are our ethnicity, nationality or place of origin. Whatever one is comfortable with, s/he should be allowed to refer or call him/herself by that and not be pigeon-holed into some category.

Last but not the least, the words Black or White have different meanings and dynamics when they refer to humans (political, economic, social cultural, etc).
AJJ 12 years ago

Kofi, according to history, Alex Qauyson-Sackey is the first Black African south of the Sahara to become the Secretary General of the United Nations, and not His Excellency Kofi Annan,thanks.

Kofi, according to history, Alex Qauyson-Sackey is the first Black African south of the Sahara to become the Secretary General of the United Nations, and not His Excellency Kofi Annan,thanks.
luck 12 years ago

No not secretary general but Quayson was president of the general assembly which is relatively less important than the secretary general.

No not secretary general but Quayson was president of the general assembly which is relatively less important than the secretary general.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

He was the first Black African south of the Sahara to preside over a UN General Assembly and not UN Secretary General. The two are not the same.

He was the first Black African south of the Sahara to preside over a UN General Assembly and not UN Secretary General. The two are not the same.
Morally good without god 12 years ago

Ethnically I see your point he clearly is of both white & black African descent but to step into the minefield of skin colour carefully in appearance he is clearly black not white thou its true that if he had only very pale b ...
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Ethnically I see your point he clearly is of both white & black African descent but to step into the minefield of skin colour carefully in appearance he is clearly black not white thou its true that if he had only very pale brown/olive skin many would still label him black.
One day this argument will be irrelevant as continued interracial mixing will create one big melting pot of man that will be harder and harder to simply label and will joyously give us one less things to discriminate over.
jb 12 years ago

place a call to the Vatican to do your due diligence...

place a call to the Vatican to do your due diligence...
HANNIBAL(Blessed by God) 12 years ago

Those three Popes from North Africa were Black Popes. They were called 'Afer,' a term which was not only geographical but ethnic as well.

Those three Popes from North Africa were Black Popes. They were called 'Afer,' a term which was not only geographical but ethnic as well.
kofi 12 years ago

8 years not 'just five years'

8 years not 'just five years'
OTOYO 12 years ago

Wuy do Ghanaians tikels themselves and laugh? Lets wait and see

Wuy do Ghanaians tikels themselves and laugh? Lets wait and see
Adobah 12 years ago

Brother Atta, am so glad you have such a rich information to share. Your points were so clear if not concise. I felt as if I was listening to my favorite middle school teacher (Master Oduro)in Sunyani High Street. He was so g ...
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Brother Atta, am so glad you have such a rich information to share. Your points were so clear if not concise. I felt as if I was listening to my favorite middle school teacher (Master Oduro)in Sunyani High Street. He was so good I mostly slept through his lessons.
Your article has been very educational to me and I guess to many others as well. However, As a Catholic you are to go on your knees and to recite HAIL MARY 77 times for the Trinity part!
Master Odure was that funny but wasn't a Catholic. He was a Presbyterian. LOL
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

Please forgive me. I believe in God but I am not very religious, so I do not recite "Hail Mary" daily but weekly when I go to Mass. I am sorry about what now appears to be me trivialising the "Trinity". I will be careful next ...
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Please forgive me. I believe in God but I am not very religious, so I do not recite "Hail Mary" daily but weekly when I go to Mass. I am sorry about what now appears to be me trivialising the "Trinity". I will be careful next time. I will ask for forgiveness in my prayers tonight.
VAQ 12 years ago

KOFI, YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. THIS IS A NICE AND INFORMATIVE PIECE OF WRITING. GOOD JOB.

KOFI, YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. THIS IS A NICE AND INFORMATIVE PIECE OF WRITING. GOOD JOB.
Jim Kelly(NY) 12 years ago

This was a magnificently -written piece. Mr. Kofi Ata, I salute your poignant analysis and insightful dissertation. I also believe that cardinal Turkson would not be made a pope even if he is the most qualified. There are som ...
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This was a magnificently -written piece. Mr. Kofi Ata, I salute your poignant analysis and insightful dissertation. I also believe that cardinal Turkson would not be made a pope even if he is the most qualified. There are some white folks who just cannot accept a dark-skinned person as pope. Here in New York, there was an article about how he nearly got arrested in the seventies while attending Seminary here. The article went on to say that he was once a cleaner at a bank.Racism is very alive in the Catholic Church. You watch and see.
Gyamfi 12 years ago

Are we sure this cardinal Turkson does not have a "secret" child somewhere in Ghana? It has happened before ooooo. And from what I hear it is happening now all over the country. Hmmmmmmmmm....

Are we sure this cardinal Turkson does not have a "secret" child somewhere in Ghana? It has happened before ooooo. And from what I hear it is happening now all over the country. Hmmmmmmmmm....
Onyame Nipa (Man Of God) USA 12 years ago

BOTTOM LINE

BOTTOM LINE
johnny gill 12 years ago

Good job kofi

Good job kofi
ONYIMPA 12 years ago

DREAM ON YOU FUNKED OUT BRAINWASHED, RELIGIOUSLY BAMBOOZLED CROSSED EYED BLOOGUES!!!....THERE WILL BE NO AFRICAN POPE OKAY?!!!..NEVER!!!. IT'S NAME IS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH!!!...ROMAN NOT AFRICAN.

DREAM ON YOU FUNKED OUT BRAINWASHED, RELIGIOUSLY BAMBOOZLED CROSSED EYED BLOOGUES!!!....THERE WILL BE NO AFRICAN POPE OKAY?!!!..NEVER!!!. IT'S NAME IS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH!!!...ROMAN NOT AFRICAN.
Miroslav Krzak 12 years ago

The new Pope should come from either Africa or Latin America. Possible return to the election of an Italian would be the clearest mark that the Roman Catholic Church still is not ready to accept reforms and necessary
change ...
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The new Pope should come from either Africa or Latin America. Possible return to the election of an Italian would be the clearest mark that the Roman Catholic Church still is not ready to accept reforms and necessary
changes.
Morally good without god 12 years ago

As a humanist I would love to see a black pope. It should do wonders for tackling racism but it is a shame that he is an outspoken homophobe.

Still baby steps I guess, racism 1st sexism & homopobia later.

As a humanist I would love to see a black pope. It should do wonders for tackling racism but it is a shame that he is an outspoken homophobe.

Still baby steps I guess, racism 1st sexism & homopobia later.
Joe 12 years ago

There are some racist among the catholic leaders who will never want to see a black rise to such a high office.

There are some racist among the catholic leaders who will never want to see a black rise to such a high office.

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Cardinal Turkson will not be first African Pope

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