From: ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News

BY DR JOHN ESIBI
NAIROBI-KENYA
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012

With due respect to the high and mighty office of Holy Father and without prejudice; I respectfully wish to make the following observations in this regard in good faith. I note with regrets that Pope Benedict’s latest appointment of fresh Cardinals around the world, seriously pre-excludes the African continent despite that this continent is the only place in the world where Catholicism is growing fastest! How is this?

With these new appointments which apparently exclude Africa, Italy, currently has a slot of 30 Cardinals, making it emphatically clear that Benedict’s successor, again, most likely will emerge from there as has always been the tradition before Pope John Paul II reversed the trend during his reign. Based on this grim reality, I submit again without prejudice, that this trend does undermine the faith. Let me hasten to take you back to the scene, at which Benedict emerged the current Supreme Pontiff in 2005.

With his election as Pope Benedict XVI, when this 266th pontiff succeeded the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican City in Rome on April 19, 2005 the world was emphatically being informed that it was not yet time for an African pope. Benedict XVI, formally Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, a European of German pedigree, was preferred to the only African candidate Francis Cardinal Arinze, amid disillusionment from black world following the death of John Paul II, who passed on April 2, 2005.

Benedict was elected by majority of 78, out of 115 voting Cardinals during that controversial conclave. Africa in particular, and the black world in general was not amused, but stunned, following this development. He emerged the winner after the first three abortive rounds in which, Arinze, was the front runner, but being disqualified on whatever grounds.

The black world in particular, was utterly flabbergasted apparently, because, in the initial first three aborted votes cast, majority were in favour of Cardinal Arinze, were it only, not for prejudice which was blocking his victory. All this time, it was the “black smoke” that billowed, signifying the division.

It was when Cardinal Ratzinger’s name was fronted as a possible compromise, that it received support from 78 Cardinals, ostensibly, because he was a European. It was then only that the “white smoke” billowed signifying to the rest of the world that a new Pope had emerged.

Does it imply really, I ask, that God might have been disappointed were a black Pope to emerge in the process! In fact, the very idea of associating the “white smoke” with positive vote, whereas the “black smoke” associated with negative vote, speaks volumes about the procedure followed when electing the Pope.

It smacks of Western chauvinism all through, and through. Probably, time has come when in modern era, that the right chemicals were burnt to produce right smoke, switching from the use of so-called, “black smoke,” to “red smoke,” signifying a negative vote.

In “a civilized world” including the soccer game, it is the red card, and not the black, which signifies somewhat negative incidence. It is time the next Vatican Council considered revising this seemingly out-dated procedural requirement in electing the supreme pontiff. Reference to “black smoke” implying negative results, is offensive, if not mocking the African race. This is outright racism, I submit.

Benedict XVI Was In Favour Of ‘A Black Pope!’

Prior to his election, Benedict XVI himself, did concede that “electing an African pope would be positive sign for the whole Christendom.” Speaking prior to the elections — in his capacity as Cardinal Ratzinger, he is on record, having admitted that, “for all its condemnation of racism, the Western World still has reservations about the Third World and Africa in particular.

We do have truly great figures in Africa whom we can only but admire. They are fully up to the task just as well!” This was the public confession of the incoming Pope, and is to be appreciated.

Even in matters of faith, one needs dignity, respect, decency, fairness or justice for that matter. No any dignified race or nation around the world would tolerate being belittled or even offended while spiritually praying to God, as often is the case to the African race.

The African race has had enough humiliation, and should now say “no,” to further insults. If we believe that God created us, as human beings equally in his image, then we must stand up to humiliation of any form. Yes, we should share faith, but with dignity also.

Denial of victory for Arinze was a replica of what happened in FIFA elections in the year 2000 in Seoul, South Korea; when South Africa was unfairly denied chance to host the next World Cup soccer Extravaganza by the year 2006, prejudicially in favor of Germany again, on racial grounds! It was an ugly scene in which, Germany peeped South Africa with just a lone vote through similar intrigues.

This nasty drama ended after three rounds of abortive voting with Germany “landing the right” to host the biggest sport in world by the slimmest of margins, 12 votes to 11 votes. The one delegate that should have cast a tie, was prevailed upon (read bribed) in the last hour, only to go into hiding, to abstain from casting his vote. Not being amused, South Africa had patiently to wait for its turn to come by the year 2011!

Benedict’s election likewise, proved in particular the age-long-suspicion. That; at least psychologically and (unfortunately) also spiritually, the Western world isn’t ready yet to entertain “a black pope” in modern times unless, attitudes change. Benedict himself, admits it above, that Africa as a region, has been treated prejudicially. So what is the problem with having a successor of St. Peter, from black Africa!

Is it that black Africa as a region is less qualified to produce a pope, or just that it lacks candidate(s) for the papacy? Sub-Saharan Africa is just as prepared, if not better qualified to produce a pope, were it not for prejudice, on the part of College of Cardinals.

At the last conclave that elected Benedict XVI, Africa fronted a candidate by the name, Francis Cardinal Arinze, from Nigeria, who not only was qualified for the job, but also topped in opinion poll during the ensuing process. It was like a stolen papacy from Africa this time round, through the ballot. Were it an open popular vote, it is now generally agreed; Arinze might have won hands down.

Currently, there is one Peter Kodwo Appiah Cardinal Turkson from Ghana, waiting for his turn, should a vacancy arise in St. Peter’s seat of authority. Serving as the relator for a synod of bishops in Rome, Turkson is only heart-beat away from the papacy. Even though Francis Cardinal Arinze from Nigeria missed it by a whisker; Cardinal Turkson is ready for the contest, provided the rules and playing field are fair to all.

Turkson’s approach is simple and practical. He says, after President Barack Obama made history by becoming the first African-American to enter White House in the US in 2008, it’s about time for an African to occupy St. Peter’s seat. It is not impossible, but with Benedict’s latest appointment; it puts one step back on the issue. Hence the black world now is crying foul.

The following is the Catholicism growth rate worldwide. Africa: Catholic population: 250 million. Growth rate 150%. Europe: Catholic population: 282 million. Growth rate 5%. Americas: Baptized Catholic population: 541 million. Growth rate since 1978: 45%. Asia: Catholic population: 113 million. Growth rate: 74%. Oceania: Catholic population 9 million. Growth rate: 49%.

Breakdown per individual countries with majority Catholics around the world is as follows. Nigeria’s national population: 157 million, out of which more than 30 millions are Catholic, which is about 45% being Catholic. DRC’s national population is:53 million out of which 30 million are Catholic.

This works out roughly at 58% being Catholic. Brazil, which is for all practical purposes black, has 180 million population. Of these Catholic faithful accounts for 186 million people, out of which 151.2 are Catholic (85%). Mexico’s population stands at 109.7 million, out of which 93.6 million (89%) are Catholic. Argentina has 39.1 million, out of which 36.0million (92%) are Catholic.

The United States’ population is 296 million people of which the Catholic are about 66.3 (22%). French population is 60.4 million people, of which 48 (79%) are Catholic. Spain has 41.1 million of which 38.5 (94%) are Catholic. Italy has 57.6 million of which 55.8(96%) are Catholic. Poland’s population is 38.6 people of which 36.9 (95%) are Catholic. In Asia, Philippines with national population of 81.1 million people, is the only nation with majority Catholics numbering about 66.4 (81%).

Dr. John Esibi is a journalist cum author.
E-mail: jesibi1@yahoo.com

People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya

Tel +254-7350-14559/+254-722-623-578
E-mail- ppa@africaonline.co.ke
omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org