Ghanaian Man of God voted one of “Top Ten” of 2009

Ghanaian born clergy, His Eminence Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, has been voted one of “Top Ten” individuals of 2009, by Inside the Vatican Magazine. “Our selection of Cardinal Turkson as one of our “Top Ten” of 2009 is in part the selection of all those in Africa, and around the world, who labor to bring justice and peace in their countries. He himself doesn’t waste a thought on the idea — he is focused on doing what he can now to help bring the Gospel to Africa, and in so doing, to bring a better life to the people of his troubled continent” the Magazine uphold.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

Inside the Vatican Magazine has selected 10 people each year for the past 10 years to bring to the attention of readers around the world the important work that these people do, and the courage, wisdom and charity with which they carry out that work. The Magazine is the world’s most well-informed, comprehensive monthly Catholic news magazine on what is going on inside the Vatican, at the heart of the Roman Catholic Church.

This year’s “Top Ten” which focused on people working in situations of political and theological conflict is headed by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Former Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, who doubles as former President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. He is followed by; Ghanaian born Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, new president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who doubles as leader of the Church in Africa, Leonid Sevastianov, Executive Director of the St. Gregory Nazianzus Foundation, working for the renewal of Russia and Europe, Don Luigi Maria Epicoco A parish priest in L’Aquila, Abruzzo, who saved people during the earthquake in the region in April 2009, and Suor Giovanna Gentili an Italian nun who retired this year after 25 years of service in the Vatican Press Office.

Others include; the energetic head of a religious order of nuns in rapid expansion worldwide, Abbess Maria Tekla Famiglietti, The new secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace who advised the Pope on his last encyclical, Bishop Mario Toso, The director of the Vatican Museums, Professor Antonio Paolucci, who is said to have great responsibility for the cultural patrimony of the Church, Dr. Johann Marthe, An Austrian scholar, whose work with the “Pro Oriente” Foundation has brought Christians closer together and Archbishop Antonio Mennini, An Italian papal diplomat who successfully negotiated the upgrade in Vatican relations with Russia recently.

Though many would have loved the Magazine to expand the list to “Top 50”, Inside the Vatican, published since 1993 noted, “We make no claim that this list is exhaustive; we wish we could choose 100 persons instead of just this small number. The essential point, however, remains: that there are people in the world today who are “signs of hope”.”

Meanwhile Cardinal Turkson, who is widely believed to be the next Pope (“If God would wish to see a black man also as Pope, thanks be to God,” Turkson once said.

) has been called to Rome by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to become the highest-ranking African in the Roman Curia, following the retirement of Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria. The man of God who was appointed on October 24, 2009, replacing retired Cardinal Renato Martino, will head the Vatican’s Justice and Peace Council, which deals with the great social issues of our time.. Cardinal Turkson will work with the secretary, Bishop Mario Toso, appointed two days previously, on behalf of peace and justice around the world.

The cardinal, who clocked 61, last October 11 during the bishop’s synod on Africa in the Vatican, is a man who knows media well. And that is not small news. Especially in a time when the communication of the Church is in deep crisis. “Africa is always present in the mind and heart of Peter Kodwo (Monday) Appiah Turkson”.

Cardinal Turkson is also a man with a profound insight into the great global problems of our time, including the emerging conflict between the West and Islam. Turkson told the Synod on Africa, which met in Rome, that in his native Ghana, but also in many other countries, religious diversity has never been a problem and that in the same family there may be Catholic, Methodist and even Islamic brothers and sisters.
For Turkson, the intrusive and dangerous Is­lam now emerging is not the “classical” Islam but a new, politicized Islam which spreads and sneaks into the souls of simple people. This is a concern for everybody, not only for Christians.

Among the internal problems of the Church, on the other hand, Turkson believes one of the most serious problems in Africa is the education of priests and faithful alike. The catechists often only have a superficial education, and old beliefs often continue to live in the hearts of the converts. If some of them choose to become priests, the danger is doubled.
The cardinal believes that the future priests should study in Africa, and not be sent to study in Europe before their ordination. Local seminaries must be strengthened and African anthropology and philosophy must be studied deeply in order to shape a formative and informed theology, he says. As bishop of Cape Coast in Ghana, Turkson invited deacons to live with him some months before their ordination, in order to know each other better and to learn to work together.

This cardinal from Ghana believes that the most important thing of all is to stimulate the Africans’ capacity, their positivity, their richness, their "Africanness. "
His curriculum of studies starts in Ghana continues in New York and at the Gregoriana University in Rome with a Doctorate at the Biblical Institute in 1992, and with the unexpected appointment to bishop of Cape Coast, after the sudden death of his predecessor. He is at ease with languages: English, French, Italian and German, not to mention Greek, Hebrew and Latin.
As new President of Justice and Peace he talks about justice in Africa in the family, in the relationship between man and woman, with their children, and says: “When I talk about family I also think about the tribe, which in Africa is a broader family. We don’t even have a word for cousins and nephews: in our country, my cousin is my brother.”

In the text of the propositions of the Synod there is also a piece of advice for Iustitia et pax. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is asked “to promote an African Peace and Solidarity Initiative.” In Ghana, Turkson presided over the National Peace Council, composed of five religious leaders and of six cultural, economic and social leaders. “I have discussed it with the bishops of Togo, where there will be elections in February. We must not leave the politicians to their own devices; they must feel that someone is controlling their actions.”

Inside the Vatican Magazine welcome nominations from readers for next year's "Top 10." They equally welcome new subscribers to both the printed and electronic edition of the magazine.