Why don't they make a black dude the Pope for a change?

Question

Maybe it proves most Catholics are racists? About time to put in something fair and just, right?

Answer 1

I dont know why.

Probably because catholics would think it would ruin 'tradition.'

Very good point & question. Starred.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: there have already been 3 African popes in the history of the Church. Sure one could say this is minority considering there have been 265 popes throughout the last 2000 years but Africa has not been the traditional heart of Catholicism especially after the Muslim invasions of the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries.

Today the fastest growing region for conversion to the Catholic faith are happening in Africa and that cardinal who was almost picked last time wasn't from Ethiopia he was cardinal Arinze from Nigeria

Now it would seem to me the Catholic Church is already ahead in this shell game as the pope is also the head of state for the Vatican, and there hasn't been a British or American or French or German head of state who is of African origin. Perhaps you should challenge Americans to being racist first!

Answer 3

I was pretty sure an African was going to be elected when John Paul II died. It is inevitable because Africans are a plurality of the Church's members. But the Church is no more a democracy now than Jesus and His Twelve were then and the hierarchy of the Church is often at loggerheads with a majority of the members on any number of issues. I think most American Catholics would be pleased to see an African pope, but because many prominent African cardinals a very conservative, they might be disenchanted with his policies.

Answer 4

if people are either white or black then where do i fit in? i am neither white nor do i class myself black. your question implies racism (and im not saying against blacks or whites...just purely racist) on your part and your using this as an excuse to damn catholics for their beliefs which obviously clashes with yours.

I dont care what color skin my pope has or even what nationality he is. Catholics worldwide are confident that the Church founded by Christ is guided and protected by the Holy Spirit. It follows therefore that whoever is St Peters successor is not chosen by his skin color nor his nationality.

Q. when you are deciding which protestant church you should join do you suss out the color of the pastor first?

thats a good one though LOL but just another excuse to deny the authority given to the Church to teach in His Name.

Answer 5

There have been three African popes:
• St. Victor I (189-199) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15408a.htm
• St. Melchiades (311-314) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10318a.htm
• St. Gelasius (492-496) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06406a.htm

http://www.rc.net/africa/catholicafrica/saints.htm
http://www.rcan.org/bca/saintslist.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/realm/blackcatholics/earlyblacksaints.pg3.html

In addition, the 270 million Catholics of African descent represent about 25% of the one billion Roman Catholics throughout the world in more than 59 countries.

Most Black Catholics are in Africa. However there are about 3 million in the United States.

Black Catholic statistics: http://www.nbccongress.org/black-catholics/worldwide-count-black-catholics-01.asp and http://www.usccb.org/saac/AfricanAmericanCatholicsintheUS.pdf

Here is a link to the National Black Catholic Congress: http://www.nbccongress.org/default.asp

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Desmond Tutu was the only black catholic bishop that I know of,in South Africa.And you have to be a catholic cardinal to be elected pope,70% have been Italian or former Holy Roman Empire.Most african countries are Muslim or a Non-catholic Christian.

Answer 7

Arinze was a top contender, while not chosen, he does hold a very important position. He's the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, and that's in addition to being just a great guy!

Answer 8

African candidates for the papacy were considered in this election. Soon we will have an African Pope
We haven't had Popes outside of Europe or the near east...yet.

Answer 9

As I recall, a black Ethiopian cardinal was considered to have been a strong contender for the pope last time around. It's a vote, and he didn't get it. Next time, who knows?

Answer 10

That's because most blacks are not Catholics to begin with.
I don't think there anything racial. I think if Blacks become Catholics and attend regular and go to seminary they can become a Pope. Just have to go through a process.
In God's eyes, he is color blind and love all people.

Answer 11

Patience, patience. Actually, Africa's a huge source of growth for the Catholic church. They're actually quite happy at the prospect.