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Beati pacifici
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Desmond Tutu, a South African activist who first rose to prominence as a
result of his opposition to apartheid and would later become the first Black
archbishop of South Africa. During the apartheid era, he was a strident
opponent of the regime, but was avowedly dedicated to the use of non-violence.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has dedicated his life to the pursuit of peace
and the betterment of all mankind. In my darkest moments, when the evil of
people who professed themselves righteous had hardened my heart, I was glad for
people like Desmond Tutu. He has been a moral conscience not just of a nation
but of an entire planet.
He has shown through his actions that there is another way; a better way.
Being Christian and being compassionate are not mutually exclusive.
Christianity ought not to be solely a tool of majority oppression. I’ve learned
from my research about the disgraceful actions of the South African churches as
well as the Southern Baptists, who stridently supported both Apartheid and
Slavery. Their disgraceful actions are tempered by the actions of people like
Desmond Tutu, for whom religion is a force for good; a force for social change
and not merely a tool of the powerful to control the masses, but a catalyst for
positive social change. For these and other efforts, he has received quite a
few accolades, including but not limited to:
1979 – Honorary D.C. L., Harvard.
1980 – Prix d'Athene prize, Onassis Foundation, Greece.
1984 – Nobel Peace Prize, Norway.
1984 – Martin Luther King Jnr Humanitarian Award.
1986 – Ordained as the Archbishop of Cape Town.
1987-97 – President All Africa Conferences of Churches.
1988 – Chancellor of the University of Western Cape.
1989 – Joint recipient Third World Prize.
1996 – Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town.
1996 – Order for meritorious Service (Gold) from State President, Nelson Mandela.
1992 – Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Award.
1998 – Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour from French President Jacques Chirac.
1999 – The Sydney Peace Prize
1980 – Prix d'Athene prize, Onassis Foundation, Greece.
1984 – Nobel Peace Prize, Norway.
1984 – Martin Luther King Jnr Humanitarian Award.
1986 – Ordained as the Archbishop of Cape Town.
1987-97 – President All Africa Conferences of Churches.
1988 – Chancellor of the University of Western Cape.
1989 – Joint recipient Third World Prize.
1996 – Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town.
1996 – Order for meritorious Service (Gold) from State President, Nelson Mandela.
1992 – Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Award.
1998 – Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour from French President Jacques Chirac.
1999 – The Sydney Peace Prize
2005 – Gandhi Peace Prize
2009 – Presidential Medal of
Freedom
He has been active his entire life in the defence of human rights and has
campaigned to end racism, sexism, homophobia and poverty. In particular, he has
worked to reduce poverty in the developing world as well as aid in
reconstruction of war-torn areas and mediation in ongoing conflicts
(particularly in places such as Sudan, Somalia and Angola). He still continues
to this day to be actively involved in causes all over the world. More of his
history and work can be found as part of the South African History Project
Greatest quote:
If you are neutral in situations of
injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its
foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will
not appreciate your neutrality.
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