COVID-19 Isn’t “divine castigation of humanity”: Ghanaian Cardinal

“We are not going that lane. That Pope is not taking that position that God is chastising us or God is punishing us…why does God allow us in our freedom to allow certain things to happen?” Cardinal Turkson probed.

“What began as a healthcare issue is also economic, ecological and political...When we disturb our biodiversity structures and systems to a certain point, we unleash several factors in nature, which can take the form of diseases and sicknesses,” the 71-year-old Prelate explained.

He added, “Humanity must respect systems and structures, so that they can maintain our lives.’

The COVID-19 global pandemic which started in Wuhan, China has infected over 15 million people across the globe including 9,012,515 recoveries and 616,488 related deaths.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no treatment specifically approved for COVID-19 and vaccines are currently under study. In handling COVID-19 patients, medical practitioners have focused on managing symptoms as the virus runs its course.

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In the July 19 interview with Asaase Radio, Cardinal Turkson noted, “Human beings could have learnt from what was happening in China and prepare towards it.”

He underscored the need to take “things seriously” and to respect the directives from “scientists and doctors.”

Medical practitioners and those involved in medical research, the Ghanaian Cardinal said, “are the prophets of such issues; they’re the ones to be listened to, not anybody who thinks that from the sleep, in a dream, whatever, can come out with anything. Those are not credible.”

He explained, “Prophecy has to do with knowing the commandants of God and the consequences of disobeying (them). Therefore, prophets always come to warn mankind about the consequences that befall us in not obeying God’s command.”

“The prophetic ministry is not simply a blind prediction of the future or anything like that,” Cardinal Turkson who, on July 20, celebrated 45 years since he was ordained a Priest further said and clarified in reference to the prophetic ministry, it is “about how God is dealing with humanity and the world” as well as the prediction of such dealing “based on what God has done before.”