Background and Experience
Born on October 11, 1948, in Wassaw Nsuta, Ghana, Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson was ordained as a priest in 1975. He earned a doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and taught at St. Teresa's Seminary in Ghana before being appointed Archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992.
In 2003, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal, making him the first Ghanaian cardinal. His prominence grew when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the Relator (secretary) for the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in 2009.
In 2009, Pope Benedict appointed Turkson as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, which was later incorporated into the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development under Pope Francis. Turkson served as the first Prefect of this new dicastery from 2016 to 2021, overseeing the Vatican's work on issues related to social justice, peace, and environmental protection.
"The Church must be a voice for the voiceless, standing with the poor and marginalized in their struggle for dignity and justice. Our faith demands that we address the structural causes of poverty and environmental degradation."
— Cardinal Peter Turkson
Key Agenda Items
Economic Justice and Development
Cardinal Turkson has been a leading voice on issues of economic justice, critiquing aspects of global capitalism that contribute to inequality and exploitation. He played a key role in drafting the Vatican document "Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones," which addressed ethical questions in the financial sector following the 2008 global financial crisis.
His agenda includes promoting more equitable economic systems, addressing the debt burden of developing countries, and encouraging ethical investment practices. He advocates for an economy that serves human dignity rather than treating people as mere factors of production.
Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship
As a key contributor to Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si', Cardinal Turkson has been at the forefront of the Church's engagement on environmental issues. He has emphasized the connection between environmental degradation and poverty, noting that the poor often suffer the most from climate change despite contributing the least to it.
His environmental agenda includes strengthening the Church's advocacy for ambitious climate action, promoting ecological conversion within Catholic communities, and developing practical initiatives for sustainable development, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa
Drawing on his African roots and experience, Cardinal Turkson has been actively involved in peace-building efforts across the continent. He has addressed conflicts in countries such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, emphasizing the Church's role in reconciliation and healing.
If elected Pope, Turkson would likely prioritize the Church's peace-building efforts in Africa and other conflict zones, focusing on addressing root causes such as resource competition, ethnic tensions, and governance failures.
Interreligious Dialogue
Coming from Ghana, where Christians and Muslims coexist in significant numbers, Cardinal Turkson has extensive experience in interreligious dialogue. He has emphasized the importance of building relationships of mutual respect and cooperation between different faith communities.
His agenda includes strengthening dialogue with Islam, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, and promoting collaborative efforts between religious communities to address shared challenges such as poverty, conflict, and environmental degradation.
Church Growth in the Global South
As a representative of the Church in Africa, where Catholicism is growing rapidly, Cardinal Turkson has advocated for greater attention to the needs and perspectives of Catholics in the Global South. He has emphasized the importance of inculturation—adapting the expression of the faith to different cultural contexts while maintaining its essential content.
His agenda includes supporting the development of local theological traditions, addressing the shortage of clergy in rapidly growing regions, and ensuring that the universal Church's priorities reflect the concerns of Catholics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.