Ghanaian highlife musician Reggie Zippy has sent shockwaves through religious and entertainment circles by publicly renouncing his Catholic faith, citing disillusionment over Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson’s failure to become Pope in the recent Vatican conclave.
According To Yen, A Faith Crisis Goes Viral
The “Aben Wo Ha” hitmaker announced his decision in an emotional Instagram live session, where he tore his rosary and declared: “If the Church couldn’t recognize Cardinal Turkson’s worth, then it’s not my Church anymore.”The video, viewed over 200,000 times within hours, sparked fierce debates about faith and disappointment.
Turkson’s Narrow Miss
Cardinal Turkson, considered Africa’s strongest papal contender in modern history, lost to European candidate Cardinal Matteo Zuppi in a closely fought election last month. While many Ghanaians expressed pride in Turkson’s global impact, Zippy’s extreme reaction highlighted deeper frustrations among some African Catholics.
Religious leaders urged calm, with Father Andrew Campbell stating: *”Faith transcends individuals—we shouldn’t abandon 2,000 years of tradition over one election.”* However, some young fans supported Zippy, with #ChurchReform trends emerging on Twitter.
Industry Backlash
Fellow musicians expressed concern. Artists influence youth—this could start a dangerous trend,” cautioned veteran singer Akosua Agyapong. Meanwhile, secular activists applauded Zippy’s “bold stand against institutional bias.”
What’s Next for Zippy?
The musician hinted at exploring traditional African spirituality, telling followers: “Maybe our ancestors’ ways hold better answers.” As Ghana’s Christian majority grapples with this unexpected celebrity faith crisis, one thing is clear—the intersection of religion and celebrity culture just got more complicated.