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IN THE SHADOW OF TABLE MOUNTAIN, ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU'S LIFE IS CELEBRATED
The requiem mass for South African anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, took place today, 1st January 2022, at the Anglican cathedral in Cape Town.
As sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, many present were reminded of the 'light' that this extraordinary leader brought to the dark areas of the world. Described in his eulogy by President Cyril Ramaphosa as "the spiritual father of our new nation", Tutu, who was 90 when he passed away on 26th December 2021, was also known for his mischievous sense of humour. Michael Nuttall, the former bishop of Natal and a close friend of Tutu, told mourners "His was not a harsh, ideological quest for justice. Always it was grounded in mercy ... in an enduring loving-kindness: the gentle touch, the forgiving heart, the warm smile."
As well as his anti-apartheid work, Tutu was also a major advocate for injustice and ALL forms of oppression including nature, that of all animals and the environment. He was a major advocate for transitioning to cleaner means of energy and worked hard to encourage others to join the fight against climate change.
In the foreword to the 'Global Guide to Animal Protection', edited by Professor Andrew Linzey, Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics in 2013 he wrote:
"I have seen first-hand how injustice gets overlooked when the victims are powerless or vulnerable, when they have no one to speak up for them and no means of representing themselves to a higher authority. Animals are in precisely that position. Unless we are mindful of their interests and speak out loudly on their behalf, abuse and cruelty go unchallenged.
"It is a kind of theological folly to suppose that God has made the entire world just for human beings, or to suppose that God is interested in only one of the millions of species that inhabit God's good earth."
Tutu continued: "Our dominion over animals is not supposed to be despotism. We are made in the image of God, yes, but God - in whose image we are made - is holy, loving, and just. We do not honour God by abusing other sentient creatures.
If it is true that we are the most exalted species in creation, it is equally true that we can be the most debased and sinful. This realization should give us pause. There is something Christ-like about caring for suffering creatures, whether they are humans or animals."
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk called for us to recall his legacy of wisdom, courage and all-encompassing mercy and understanding by speaking out loudly for those animals that are 'powerless or vulnerable'.
Known fondly by many in South Africa as 'Tata', meaning 'Father', Archbishop Desmond Tutu showed his Christ-like humility and caring for the good of all right up until the last. He requested the cheapest, most basic coffin and asked to be aquamated - a process using water that is a more environmentally friendly alternative to cremation.
Click HERE for some wonderful photos of Archbishop Desmond Tutu in The Guardian's 'A Life in Pictures' (including credits for the ones I've used above).