Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Ghanaian cardinal Peter Turkson from the head of an influential governing body of the Vatican, the Holy See announced Thursday, December 23, citing the end of his mandate.
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Cardinal Turkson, who was the last African to head a dicastery (equivalent to a ministry) since the resignation of Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah in February, nevertheless remains an elector and eligible in the event of a conclave until the age of 80 years, as provided for in canon law. Bishop Turkson, 73, had confirmed having handed over to the Pope his resignation from his position as prefect of the powerful dicastery for the Department of Integral Human Development, a position he had held since his commissioning in January 2017, explaining that his mandate as five years had expired.
But according to several media, this decision is also linked to governance issues and internal conflicts within this dicastery, created in 2016 by the Pope to replace four former entities and in particular in charge of issues related to migration, health and to works of charity.
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“
While sincerely thanking Cardinal Turkson and his collaborators for their service and awaiting the appointment of a new office, the Holy Father has entrusted the ordinary management of the same dicastery ad interim from January 1, 2022 to the cardinal Michael Czerny as Prefect and Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Secretary,
”the Holy See announced in a statement.