October 26, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Peter Turkson as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.


The announcement was made by Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican’s press office.

Father Federico Lombardi
Director, Vatican Press Office
"I present to His Eminence Cardinal Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast, the relator general of the synod and now president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace."

The announcement caught Cardinal Turkson off guard and in the middle of the laughter that filled the room all he could do was thank the Pope for his new post.

Card. Peter Turkson
President Pontifical Concil for Justice and Peace
“The first news that greeted us was the news of another assignment. So, let me avail myself of your questions to express gratitude to the Holy Father for this latest appointment. And I suppose with the help of all of you hope to be able to fulfill it.”

Cardinal Turkson will take over for Cardinal Renato Martino, who headed the council for 7 years.

A few weeks ago Cardinal Turkson made headlines when he was asked a question over the possibility of a black pope.

Cardinal Peter Turkson
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
"Why not? If God would wish to see a black man also as pope, thanks be to God!"

Cardinal Turkson is the first cardinal in the history of Ghana and one of the players in the pacification of the country in recent years.

BR/MC