Peter Turkson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Peter Turkson |
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Turkson in 2017
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 4 April 2022 |
| Predecessor | Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo |
| Other posts | Cardinal Priest of San Liborio (2003–) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 20 July 1975 |
| Consecration | 27 March 1993 by Dominic Kodwo Andoh |
| Created Cardinal | 21 October 2003 |
| Rank | Cardinal Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson |
| Born | 11 October 1948 Wassaw Nsuta, Gold Coast |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Denomination | Catholic (Roman Rite) |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | St. Teresa's Seminary- Amisano, Ghana |
| Motto | Vivere Christus est (To live is Christ) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (born 11 October 1948) is an important leader in the Catholic Church from Ghana. He is known as a cardinal. Since 2022, he has been the head of the Pope's science academies.
Before this, he led two important departments in the Vatican. From 2009 to 2017, he was president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Then, from 2017 to 2021, he was the first leader of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.
Cardinal Turkson was the Archbishop of Cape Coast in Ghana from 1992 to 2009. Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal in 2003. Many people have seen him as a possible candidate to become the Pope. The Tablet magazine called him "one of Africa's most energetic church leaders" in 2013.
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Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Peter Turkson was born in Wassaw Nsuta, a town in Western Ghana. His mother was a Methodist, and his father was Catholic. He was the fourth of ten children in his family.
His mother sold vegetables in the market, and his father worked as a carpenter. He even had an uncle who was Muslim. Peter went to special schools called seminaries to study to become a priest. He studied in Ghana and then in New York, USA.
On 20 July 1975, he became a priest. This was done by Archbishop John Kodwo Amissah. He also studied the Bible in Rome, Italy. After his studies, he returned to Ghana to teach and do pastoral work, which means helping people in a church community.
Becoming a Bishop and Cardinal
On 6 October 1992, Pope John Paul II chose Peter Turkson to be the Archbishop of Cape Coast. An archbishop is a very important leader in a large church area. He officially became an archbishop on 27 March 1993.
From 1997 to 2005, he was the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Ghana. This group helps guide the Catholic Church in the country. He also became the head of the Catholic University College of Ghana in 2003.
On 21 October 2003, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal-Priest. This was a very special event. Cardinal Turkson was the first cardinal from Ghana. He helped choose the new Pope in 2005, when Pope Benedict XVI was elected. He also participated in the 2013 election, when Pope Francis became Pope.
Working at the Vatican
On 24 October 2009, Pope Benedict XVI asked Cardinal Turkson to lead the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. This department works on issues like human rights, peace, and social justice around the world. He also became a member of several other important Vatican groups.
In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI sent Cardinal Turkson to Ivory Coast. His job was to help find a peaceful solution to a conflict happening there. He worked to bring people together and encourage talks instead of fighting.
In October 2011, Cardinal Turkson suggested that the world needed a "global public authority" and a "central world bank." He believed these would help manage money fairly, especially during economic problems. He said that the world's money system needed more "solidarity" between rich and poor nations.
In 2016, Pope Francis sent Cardinal Turkson to South Sudan. He went there to help bring peace and stop the fighting. He met with leaders to encourage them to talk and trust each other.
On 31 August 2016, Pope Francis created a new department called the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. This department focuses on helping people grow in all parts of their lives, including their well-being and dignity. Cardinal Turkson was chosen to be its first leader, starting on 1 January 2017.
His time as the leader of this department ended on 23 December 2021. Then, on 4 April 2022, Pope Francis appointed him to his current role. He became the chancellor, or head, of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. These academies bring together top scientists and thinkers to advise the Pope.
Cardinal Turkson is very good with languages. He speaks English, Fante, French, Italian, German, and Hebrew. He also understands Latin and Greek.
Possible Pope Candidate
After Pope Benedict XVI announced he would step down in 2013, many news outlets thought Cardinal Turkson might be chosen as the next Pope. Some betting companies even listed him as a top choice. People in Rome put up posters encouraging others to vote for him.
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His Views
Helping the World's Money System
After the big global economic crisis in 2008, Cardinal Turkson worked on ideas to make the world's money system better. He suggested creating a "Global Public Authority" and a "Global Bank." These would help make sure that all countries, especially developing ones, are treated fairly. He believed that the current financial organizations needed to change.
Society and Values
In 2010, Cardinal Turkson said that certain "toxic values" like "relativism" (the idea that truth is not fixed) and "atheistic secularism" (a way of life that doesn't include God) should be avoided. He also pointed out that bad leaders and conflicts between different groups have caused problems in Africa. He believes that peace and justice are very important for society.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Turkson para niños
- Catholicism in Ghana
