Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Moral Compass
SOUTH AFRICA: Reactions are coming in from around the world to the death of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu at the age of 90.
Throughout the 1980s — when South Africa was gripped by anti-apartheid violence and a state of emergency giving police and the military sweeping powers — Tutu was one of the most prominent Blacks able to speak out against abuses.
With the end of apartheid and South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, Tutu celebrated the country’s multi-racial society, calling it a “rainbow nation,” a phrase that captured the heady optimism of the moment.
Former US President Barack Obama said: “Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere. He never lost his impish sense of humor and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “The death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (always known as Arch) is news that we receive with profound sadness — but also with profound gratitude as we reflect upon his life. … Arch’s love transformed the lives of politicians and priests, township dwellers and world leaders. The world is different because of this man.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humor.”
Former US President Jimmy Carter said: “No words better exemplify his ministry than the three he contributed to a work of art at The Carter Center: love, freedom, and compassion. He lived his values in the long struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, in his leadership of the national campaign for truth and reconciliation, and in his role as a global citizen. His warmth and compassion offered us a spiritual message that is eternal.”
Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said: “He was never afraid to call out human rights violators no matter who they were and his legacy must be honored by continuing his work to ensure equality for all.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said: “The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu is immeasurable. He was larger than life, and for so many in South Africa and around the world his life has been a blessing. His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies.”
Dr. Bernice King, youngest daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “I’m saddened to learn of the death of global sage, human rights leader, and powerful pilgrim on earth. … A great, influential elder is now an eternal, witnessing ancestor. And we are better because he was here.”
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and Chair of The Elders, an independent group of world leaders and human rights activists said: “We are all devastated at the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Vatican states: “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and he offers heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Mindful of his service to the Gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, His Holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of Almighty God.”
Former Egyptian Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei said: “A powerful and courageous voice for nonviolence, reconciliation and peace. He will be very much missed in our troubled world. May he Rest In Peace.”
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said: “Through his distinguished work over the years as a cleric, freedom fighter and peacemaker, Archbishop Tutu inspired a generation of African leaders who embraced his non-violent approaches in the liberation struggle.”
Mohammed Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority said Tutu’s death was “a loss for justice, truth and peace in the world. … He loved Palestine and Palestine loved him.”
– THE STATESMAN