TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross

Is this man the next Pope?

BY Dave Ross  on February 12, 2013 @ 6:14 am (Updated: 11:29 am - 2/12/13 )

AP: 3f199b4c-a9bc-4aad-8916-68d0a0918b12
This Oct. 24, 2009 file photo shows Ghanian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson talking to journalists during a press conference at the Vatican. The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 28, 2013 opens the door to a host of possible successors, from the cardinal of Milan to a contender from Ghana and several Latin Americans. Cardinal Turkson is one of the highest-ranking African cardinals at the Vatican, currently heading the Vatican's office for justice and peace. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
His name is Peter Turkson. He is 64 years old, born in Ghana, son of a carpenter, sent to study for the priesthood at the age of 13, educated for a time in a seminary near Albany New York, and made a Cardinal in 2003.

Three years ago, when Pope Benedict appointed him to head the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, he said, "If God would wish to see a black man as the pope, thanks be to God."

Today he is considered the top candidate to replace Benedict the XVI, which would make him not only the first African Pope, but the first Pope in a very long time to have a former Pope watching him. In 2012 he gave the commencement address at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York.

"When I was appointed to this office, I sought audience with the holy father and he told me, leaders of the church need to be pastoral workers and not politicians." 　 And yet he hasn't shied away from commenting on hot button issues. In 2011 he accused large corporations of "lust" and said that persuading African farmers to use patented seeds "stands out like a new form of slavery."

On matters of sex, he told U.S. Catholic that right now, in the African communities he's familiar with the idea of tolerating homosexuality or encouraging the use of condoms are non-starters.

Of course as a cardinal he is obedient to the current Pope, whereas if he BECAME Pope, he could change any of those things.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
More Dave Ross

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Comments (35)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Dream all you want, Dave. But I suspect this sone if Ghana is not (yet) acceptable to the great majority of Cardinals.
    February 12, 2013 5:44 am
    And though the cardinals are guided by God, they also reflect who appointed them - John Paul II and Benedict.

    But I DO expect something revolutionary in the choosing of the new Pope. Latin America boasts over 40% of the world's Catholic population - while Europe is slowly dying on the vine. ... Do not be surprised by the first Pope born in the Americas. Perhaps Leonardo Sandri of Argentina - the 'voice' of John Paul II in his last days. A safe continuation and an innovation at the same time.

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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    North Korea has signaled with a puff of smoke
    February 12, 2013 5:51 am
    the next Pope will be Petrus Romanus...The End.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Paul, not only is Benedict a year late with his resignation.........
    February 12, 2013 6:02 am
    but 'no one shall know the day or hour, not even the Son, but the father only'. ... The end of time will come soon enough. but we can't know until then. And thinking otherwise defies God's word.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    ron prevost
    February 12, 2013 6:13 am
    Paul is god. Only he knows what will happen next and what peoples intentions are. He was sent down by the father to walk amongst gods subjects to steer us on the right track. Bow down or get slapped down.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Dave R.
    February 12, 2013 6:05 am
    Did you write this ONLY because the color of this man's skin is much darker than any previous Pope?

    YOU people on the Left just cannot get over your racist brainwashing!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pair o'dimes wrote...
    Since you asked...
    February 12, 2013 10:22 am
    If I was reading the article, I would have thought anyone who heard of the pope's resignation would be curious who might be next. That appears to me to be newsworthy. If the next pope were to be black, then the first black pope would also be newsworthy. Why assume this is written to perpetuate racism? Racism is doing just fine without anyone's help, and certainly the right blaming the left for it has a certain irony.
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  • Fakename70 wrote...
    Why So Paranoid?
    February 12, 2013 11:26 am
    While I'm normally hesitant to point fingers, YOU people (regardless which side of the political spectrum you're on) just cannot get over your paranoia that the world is turning much more darker than you're accustomed to or comfortable with, can you? That aside, I was actually surprised Turkson --- regardless of his skin colour --- wasn't appointed in the first place after John Paul II.
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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Are you suggesting we should not feel uncomfortable
    February 12, 2013 11:45 am
    that the world is turning darker?

    Yea sure, I'm sure the collapse of Rome was a real blast. Can't wait for Dark Ages II, the sequel.

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  • Fakename70 wrote...
    Quite Comfortable Here
    February 12, 2013 12:15 pm
    The answer to your question all depends on exactly who you refer to by "we". I guess "some people" are more concerned and nervous with the changing racial demographics than others.
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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    so when you say "the world is turning much more darker"
    February 12, 2013 1:33 pm
    you are referring to skin color? Yes, what a shallow racist you are. You must be a proud member of the Democrat cult. It is only "YOU people" who have that much obsession to racial demographics. Do you believe that all of the diverse tribes are going to live in harmony?...or is it the coming chaos that you look forward to?
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  • Fakename70 wrote...
    "Shallow Racist?"
    February 12, 2013 4:58 pm
    How does one become a "shallow racist" by simply making reference to projected changes in racial demographics over the next 20 or so years? You sure do love throwing that "racist" charge against the wall in hopes it'll stick, don't you? Been a lot of that going around --- especially since late 2008, early 2009 --- mostly from people who more than likely haven't even experienced "racism" in the first place and therefore really don't even know what it is. I responded to YOUR implying Ross's motives for even raising the question in the first place as being "racial", remember? If there's anyone in this discussion who's "obsessed" with anything racial --- demographics or otherwise --- clearly it's you, not me.
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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    He needs to write his memoir first
    February 12, 2013 6:11 am
    The Audacity of Papacy
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Hs Ha & Paul - there is nothing wrong with a Pope born of Africa.
    February 12, 2013 6:24 am
    And I am sure somewhere in time there will be one. Turkson, however, regardless of Dave's blessing as 'top candidate' in not on anyone else's short list. But it is his more secular views - NOT the color of his skin - that will preclude his choice for now,

    Though as God inspires the voting - who knows?

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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Thanks, Ron...that probably sits better when it comes from
    February 12, 2013 6:34 am
    one of their fellow conservatives.

    Turkson notes that he hails from a society where homosexuality is "not tolerated" and where even condoms are not accepted for birth control. On a short list of people I would suspect would *ordinarily* be thrilled that such a person might rise to a position of prominence on the world stage is one guy who immediately claims the only reason anybody *else* would support Turkson is because he is black. Also on the short list of ordinary supporters is another guy who smirks that Turkson must first write "The Adacity of Papacy".

    Unbelievable? Nope, sadly true. Thanks for speaking out in favor or rational discourse.

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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    on the topics of religion and politics
    February 12, 2013 6:44 am
    cult devotees can find no humor and consider anything but reverence to their false idols, irrational.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Devotees seem to inject politics and hatred for certain incumbents
    February 12, 2013 7:10 am
    into topics where such factors are clearly not involved. Understandable, they are compelled and cannot help themselves.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    if an outsider does not demonstrate ample reverence
    February 12, 2013 7:25 am
    to the cult member's objects of worship, the outsider is considered hateful, close minded and irrational. This, in the mind of the cult member, can be the only explanation.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    I have no issue with what country anyone comes from.
    February 12, 2013 7:53 am
    I was only questioning Ross's motivation to post this article. Nothing more!

    Please don't read more into this than I posted.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rich White and Orange wrote...
    How to get Kersey to assume the fetal position and begin talking in tongues...
    February 12, 2013 7:37 am
    Mention a black Pope.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    And right on que. Left wing Parots
    February 12, 2013 7:56 am
    injecting racism and Homophobia into everything.

    msnbc and the Obama ministry of Propaganda working OVERTIME on the paranoia bunch here!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    It matters not
    February 12, 2013 8:11 am
    WHO or WHAT is put into the Pope's office, it does not change the fact that Catholicism is a false religion, fraught with fakery, lies, deceit, false worship, and more. Political Correctness will not correct the faults of the catholic church. Relate it to the Biblical Sadducees and Pharisees.
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  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Really strong on the specifics there, po
    February 12, 2013 9:05 am
    .
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  • deltta wrote...
    DAVE ROSS=RACIST!
    February 12, 2013 9:00 am
    Why is skincolor noteworthy?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    THE top candidate???
    February 12, 2013 9:02 am
    I would say he is A top candidate among several top candidates.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    Politics
    February 12, 2013 10:06 am
    It always amazes me how when a priest or clergyman speak out about issuse of moral concern to the church and the world at-large they are accused of politicking. Jesus spoke out about many of the issues of his time, and the time before He came and current events. Lust for money or fame, sexual imorality (deviatency) the takeing life at any time or way, even calling someone a name;(verbable abuse/bullying). I think because there is a tax issue involved those who are non-reglious believers think these spiritual issues should not be spoken of but the teachings of the church are the same issues the world faces today and have not answers for. The bible has the answer to all our current issues, if anyone would be willing to listen to those like Peter Turkson and others like him.
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