1984 - Awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
If God be for us who can be against us?
Ecumenical Caucus Statement - World Conference Against Racism, Desmond Tutu Photos, Desmond Tutu Quotes |
1931 - Born Oct. 7 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal in South Africa. 1955 - Married Leah Nomalizo Shenxane on July 2. 1951 - 1953 Teachers Diploma at Pretoria Bantu Normal College. 1954 - BA in Teaching (UNISA). 1958 - 1960 St. Peters Theological College, Rosettenville, Johannesburg for Ordination Training. Licentiate in Theology. 1960 - Ordained as Deacon with the Anglican Church. 1961 - Ordained as a Priest. 1965 - B.D. Hon. (London). 1966 - Masters of Theology. 1968 - Lecturer Theology at St. Peter's College in South Africa. 1970 - 1972 Lecturer in Lesotho at the University of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. 1972 - 1975 Associate Director, Theological Education Fund of the WCC in England. 1975 - 1976 Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral Johannesburg. 1976 - 1978 Bishop of Lesotho. 1978 - 1985 General Secretary SACC - South African Council of Churches. 1979 - Called for economic sanctions against the South African government. 1984 - Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 1985 Enthroned asBishop of Johannesburg. 1986 - 1996 Elected Anglican Archbishop of Capetown. 1986 - Awarded the MartinLuther King Jr. Non-Violent Peace Prize. 1987 -Elected as President of the All Africa Conference of Churches 1995 - 1998 Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 1996 - Awarded the Archbishop of Canterbury's Award for Outstanding Service to the Anglican Communion. 1996 - Awarded by President Nelson Mandela the Order for Meritorious Service. 2002 -Resident Professor Episcopal Divinity School Spring Semester (Cambridge Mass., USA). |
He is well known for his historic opposition to the South African system of apartheid and for his tireless efforts throughout the world for equality and peace. As a priest, dean, bishop and archbishop of the Anglican Church in South Africa, he was a leading figure in the struggle against apartheid. He has touched many people's lives during his travels and made an impact in several spheres especially in human rights and justice issues. His courageous pilgrimage of peace and reconciliation has inspired communities and individuals globally to work towards the transformation of the situations of those who have been ignored and overlooked - the poor, children, and minorities. He encourages others to take action in righting the wrongs of our world. In a recent article about the effects of warfare on children, Tutu calls for us all to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. "What we need today is an upsurge of international courage, moral indignation and human solidarity to demand action to end the crimes being committed against the innocent in war."
He was born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal in South Africa and in 2001 celebrated his 70th birthday. When he was 12, his family moved to Johannesburg. For a year and a half in his late teens he was hospitalized for tuberculosis.During his hospitalization, he was visited by an Anglican priest named Trevor Huddleston. Reverend Huddleston had a great influence on Desmond Tutu.
He was initially trained as a teacher, but he soon began his studies in theology. After becoming ordained in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1961 and earning his Bachelor of Divinity Honors and Master of Theology degrees, Tutu joined the staff of the Federal Theological Seminary in Alice and became chaplain at the University of Fort Hare.
From 1972 to 1975, he worked with the World Council of Churches for three years as the Associate Director, Theological Education Fund of the WCC in England. In 1975, Desmond returned to South Africa and became Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, but shortly thereafter was elected Bishop of Lesotho. In 1976, Bishop Tutu was elected to the post of General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC).
Apartheid was introduced by the Nationalist party that had taken power in 1948, the objective of the party being to maintain the control of 4.5 million whites over 23 million blacks. The laws to contain control consisted of limited educational opportunities
for blacks, segregation of blacks to so-called homelands, restriction of freedom of movement and of association, detention without trial, as well as the introduction of "the pass," which was required to be carried by all black at all times. Desmond Tutu refused to carry "the pass" and spoke out against these and other unjust and dehumanising policies of the government.
As a result of his courage to speak out against government apartheid system, he had his travel papers confiscated by the government authorities regularly (1980 - 1982 in reprisal for his call for an international boycott of South African coal). He also repeatedly risked imprisonment for his advocacy of equal civil rights for all and his persistent calling for economic sanctions by the international communit against the South African government in protest of apartheid.
He condemned the use of violence by opponents of apartheid, seeking instead a peaceful, negotiated reconciliation between the communities. For his passionate advocacy of nonviolent change, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. The Archbishop established the Southern African Refugee Scholarship Fund with his Nobel Peace Prize Fund, enabling disadvantaged students to further their studies.
After retiring as Archbishop in 1996, he was chosen by South African President Nelson Mandela to chair South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to hear human rights violations of during the apartheid period from all perspectives and sectors of the South African community. "I think that one of the things that we have come to learn through the process of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is that whilst it is true that there are awfulnesses, and we have an incredible capacity for evil, we were exhilarated in the discovery of how people are actually willing to forgive." - Desmond Tutu 1999)
In 1996, President Mandela presented Desmond Tutu with the first "Order for Meritorious Service" award, South Africa's highest civilian award. In 1998 French President Jacques Chirac presented him with the Legion of Honor, France's highest civil award.
He was also presented the first Archbishop of Canterbury's award for Outstanding Service to the Anglican Communion. "Desmond has given his life to the people of South Africa, and to preaching the Word of God through his life as well as his words, wherever he has gone in the world." - Dr. Carey. He holds numerous other awards, prizes and honorary degrees from all over the world. He continues to speak out against injustice and oppression everywhere, and his influence has been felt internationally in many areas.
Archbishop Tutu is the author of the following books:
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An African Prayer Book DT Illustrator (1996) |
The Rainbow People of God (1994) |
Hope and Suffering:Sermons and Speeches (1983) |
Crying in the Wilderness (1982) |
No Future Without Forgivness
(1999)
Page updated on
Fri, Mar 15, 2002
