Introduction to the Next Pope
The Catholic Church is growing rapidly in Africa, with the continent’s Catholic population expanding more rapidly than anywhere else. This has led to speculation that the next pope could hail from Africa. While there have been at least three pontiffs from Africa, the last one, Pope Gelasius I, died over 1,500 years ago. Many argue that it is high time for another African pope.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Case for an African Pope
Father Stan Chu Ilo, a Nigerian Catholic priest and associate professor at DePaul University in Chicago, believes that the leadership of the Church should better reflect the make-up of the global congregation. He thinks it would be great to have an African pope, but admits that it is more likely that the cardinals will pick someone who already has a high profile. The challenge is that there are no senior African clergy holding important positions at the Vatican, which poses a problem.
The Lack of African Representation
Despite Pope Francis increasing the proportion of cardinals from sub-Saharan Africa from 8% to 12%, there are still no African cardinals in prominent positions. Father Chu Ilo notes that this lack of representation could hinder efforts to get a pontiff from Africa. He also mentions that some African Catholics do not like the emphasis on origin, seeing it as tokenism.
The Importance of Theological Knowledge
Father Paulinus Ikechukwu Odozor, a professor at Notre Dame University in Indiana, believes that the most important thing is for the pope to be the chief theologian of the Church. He thinks that the pope must know tradition very well and be able to use that to give people direction. Odozor also notes that more needs to be done to ensure that matters affecting the faithful in Africa are taken seriously by those in positions of power at the Vatican.
Pope Francis’ Legacy
Pope Francis has been praised for his understanding of the poor and marginalized, which made him particularly loved in Africa. He spoke out against the plundering of natural resources in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and played a role as peacemaker in the Central African Republic. However, he faced a backlash from the African Church for his stance on LGBT issues, with many African bishops rejecting his declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples.
The Next Pope
The three African cardinals mentioned as possible contenders – Turkson, Robert Sarah, and Fridolin Ambongo Besungu – are all clear in their rejection of a change on LGBT issues. While it is uncertain who the next pope will be, it is likely that the cardinals will choose someone who continues with the outlook of Francis, with a focus on being a listening Church. Father Chu Ilo notes that the outcome will be unpredictable, but he prays that the next pope will come from Africa.
Conclusion
The Catholic Church is at a crossroads, and the election of the next pope will be crucial in shaping its future. While there are many factors to consider, the growing Catholic population in Africa and the lack of African representation in the Vatican are important issues that need to be addressed. Ultimately, the next pope will need to balance the needs of the global congregation while being true to the Church’s traditions and values. Whether the next pope comes from Africa or not, it is clear that the Church needs to adapt to the changing needs of its followers and to be more inclusive and representative of its diverse membership.
