The South African Council of Churches has called on people to celebrate the life and ministry of Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
They described the venerated cleric as a witness for the justice that God demands of all of us.
Tutu died at his home in Cape Town. He was 90 years old.
Messages of condolences have been pouring in since from this morning when his passing was announced by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.
General Secretary of the SA Council of Churches, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana says, “We commit to honouring the works and memory our beloved ‘Arch’, even as we call on all to celebrate the life and ministry of such a powerful witness for the justice that God demands of all of us. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Mpumlwana says, “We console with the Tutu family, understanding the depth of their pain at the loss of a man who was a father to so many. We are mobilised to support the Tutu family, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and indeed the Anglican Church at this time.”
Seeds of forgiveness
A Kimberley based priest says the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu sowed the seed of forgiveness and people should continue his legacy.
Priest of the St. Mary’s Cathedral says many leaders can learn from what Tutu stood for.
Catholic priest, Victor Tlholo says, “Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the man whom I knew, who practised forgiveness in South Africa, especially with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where he was involved asking people to forgive each other despite what happened, whatever the struggles they faced in their own lives. He reminded us that our God is a God who forgives and that’s what I remember about him because – he was a man of forgiveness and wanted people to reconcile with each other.”
VIDEO: Archbishop Thabo Makgoba pays tribute:
VIDEO: Reverend Frank Chikane pays tribute:
Desmond Tutu’s Quotes:
