Saying he is prepared to be pope, African Cardinal Peter Turkson may have damaged any ambitions he harbored about the papacy.
According to Phil Lawler of Catholic Culture, the possibility that Cardinal Turkson will be elected Pope has become more remote with the publication of the Ghanian cardinal’s statement that he would be prepared to accept election.
Lawler says Cardinal-electors generally frown on anything that could be construed as campaigning for the papacy, and Cardinal Turkson already has a reputation for speaking without sufficient forethought.
Back in October, Cardinal Turkson arranged for a screening of a YouTube video entitled Muslim Demographics by all the participants at the Synod of Bishops. Vatican Radio–surely not inclined toward criticism of the Synod’s proceedings–described the video as “fear-mongering.”
Cardinal Turkson was forced to issue an apology. That didn’t help his standing among the papabile, either.
Recent news coverage has included a spate of news reports including quotes from Cardinal Turkson.
Lawler says these reports are a sign of the media’s keen interest in the African cardinal, but it’s also a sign of the cardinal’s interest in the media, which may not advance his standing among his fellow prelates.
In a conclave cardinals are likely to turn to a candidate they consider reliable, dependable, predictable–someone with whom they are comfortable. Right now Cardinal Turkson is making reporters comfortable and that’s a very different thing, suggests Lawler.