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 (Latin Church) |
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| Motto | Vivere Christus est (To live is Christ) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (born 11 October 1948) is a Ghanaian Catholic leader. He has been a cardinal since 2003. Since 2022, he has served as the chancellor for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
He was in charge of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017. He was also the first leader of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development from 2017 to 2021. Before that, Turkson was the Archbishop of Cape Coast 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 next Pope. This was true during the 2013 papal conclave that chose Pope Francis. It was also true during the 2025 papal conclave that chose Pope Leo XIV.
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Early Life and Education
Peter Turkson is from the Fante ethnic group. He was born in Wassa Nsuta in Western Ghana. His mother was a Methodist Protestant and his father was a Roman Catholic. He is the fourth of ten children in his family.
His mother sold vegetables, and his father worked as a carpenter. He also had an uncle who was Muslim. He went to St. Teresa's Minor Seminary and St. Peter's Regional Seminary in Ghana. Later, he studied in New York, USA, at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary. There, he earned degrees in Theology.
He became a priest on 20 July 1975. Archbishop John Kodwo Amissah ordained him. He also studied Sacred Scripture in Rome at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He returned to Ghana to teach at St. Peter's Seminary. He also helped with church work in a local parish.
Career as a Bishop and Cardinal
On 6 October 1992, Pope John Paul II chose Turkson to be the Archbishop of Cape Coast. He became a bishop on 27 March 1993. He led the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference from 1997 to 2005. He also became the Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana in 2003.
Pope John Paul II made Turkson a Cardinal-Priest on 21 October 2003. This was during the Pope's last group of new cardinals. Turkson was the first cardinal from Ghana. He helped choose the new Pope in the 2005 conclave (which elected Pope Benedict XVI). He also participated in the 2013 conclave (which elected Pope Francis) and the 2025 conclave (which elected Pope Leo XIV).
Work in the Vatican
On 24 October 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Turkson to lead the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. This council works on issues of fairness and peace in the world. Turkson was also a member of several other important groups in the Vatican. These groups deal with spreading the faith, worship, Christian unity, and Catholic education.
In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI sent Cardinal Turkson to Ivory Coast. His mission was to help find a peaceful solution to a conflict there. Turkson worked as a mediator to encourage talks and avoid more violence.
In October 2011, Turkson suggested creating a "global public authority" and a "central world bank." He believed these would help make the world's financial system fairer. He said that the world's money problems showed a need for more sharing and kindness among rich and poor nations. He also spoke against focusing only on money and not on people's needs.
In 2016, Pope Francis sent Turkson to South Sudan to help bring peace. Turkson traveled there to support the local archbishop. He also met with the country's leaders to encourage an end to violence. He carried letters from Pope Francis to the President and Vice President.
On 31 August 2016, Pope Francis created a new department called the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. He named Turkson as its first leader, starting on 1 January 2017. This department focuses on human well-being and development.
On 23 December 2021, Pope Francis ended Turkson's time as the leader of this department. On 4 April 2022, Pope Francis named him chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Cardinal Turkson speaks many languages. These include English, Fante, French, Italian, German, and Hebrew. He also understands Latin and Greek.
Possible Future Pope
After Pope Benedict XVI announced he would step down in 2013, many people thought Turkson might be chosen as the next Pope. News organizations and betting companies listed him as a top candidate. Some even put up fake posters in Rome encouraging people to vote for him.
After the death of Pope Francis and before the 2025 papal conclave, Turkson was again seen as a possible next Pope. News outlets like The Guardian and BBC News mentioned him as a potential leader.
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Important Views
Health and Care
In 2009, Cardinal Turkson talked about the Catholic Church's teachings on health. He emphasized that being faithful and avoiding risky behaviors are key ways to fight epidemics. He also said that money should be spent on helping people who are already sick. He believes that natural family planning can be used in some situations.
Respecting Cultures and Rights
In 2012, Turkson spoke about respecting different cultures. He said that some rules in Africa about personal relationships were very strict. He also pointed out that respecting culture is important, just like respecting human rights. He asked for a balance between moral beliefs and human rights.
Protecting Children
In 2013, Turkson shared his thoughts on keeping children safe within the Church. He believed that traditional African ways of life helped protect people. He also stated that certain behaviors are not accepted in many African cultures.
Making Money Systems Fairer
After the 2008 financial crisis, Turkson worked on ideas to improve the world's money system. He suggested creating new global groups to help all countries, especially developing ones. He believed that the current financial organizations needed to be updated to be fairer.
Society and Values
In 2010, Turkson said that "toxic values" like ignoring truth or not believing in God should be avoided. He also stated that bad leaders and fighting among people have caused problems in Africa.
In 2015, Turkson spoke at a conference supporting the protection of life. In 2017, he said that working to protect life and caring for the environment are connected.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Turkson para niños
- Catholic Church in Ghana
