Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu died over this Christmas weekend at the age of 90. His death brings the earthly end to a remarkable life which was instrumental in ending the evil of apartheid in South Africa and in the process of truth and reconciliation as a new era began.For his efforts he received a Nobel Peace Prize.
There are a couple of visual images which come to mind when I think of Desmond Tutu. In 1985 the diminutive Tutu (5"4") intervened with a man who was about to be burned alive by a furious mob because he was a police informer. Some of you may remember the gruesome "necklacing" where a suspected traitor was doused in gasoline with a rubber tire around the neck before being set ablaze. Tutu put himself at personal risk to save the man's life even though he had betrayed his own people.
Tutu said the youths told him that he was “saving someone who was the cause of so much trouble to them, . . . someone who deserved what he was getting. In the end, I think rather reluctantly, they seemed to concede my point,” that such attacks on other blacks, whatever their position, discredit the fight against the apartheid system that keeps whites in power here, he added.
Desmond Tutu busting a move with the Dalai Lama
It shouldn't be surprising that Tutu became an advocate for LGBTQ2 persons and stated that he couldn't worship a God who would exclude them. He became outspoken about environmental issues as well, seeing ensuring the integrity of Creatoin as as a human rights issue. He received lots of criticism when he visited Alberta and spoke against the tar sands development, including on the front pages of newspapers.
Tiny Desmond Tutu was a Christian giant and we can give thanks for his life and witness.
2 comments:
You have caught what I believe is the essence of the man in just a few words. Applauding this. Sally Bowen
You're kind Sally. There are so many worthwhile reflections on Tutu's life being published and I'm sure there will be many more.
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