St Paul’s Cathedral gives thanks for the life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died on Sunday 26 December 2021.
The first black Archbishop of Cape Town and later architect of South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process had visited and preached at St Paul’s. Dean of Melbourne, Dr Andreas Loewe said:
‘Desmond Tutu has been an icon of reconciliation and truth telling, and a tireless advocate for justice and equality in the fight against racism and homophobia. We mourn a great leader of the church and give thanks for his ministry”.
“Archbishop Tutu’s uncompromising stance that truth telling needs to take place before any meaningful reconciliation can take place is an important reminder for the work of truth telling in our own nation”, Dean Loewe said. “I am grateful that in our state the Truth Telling Commission has commenced its work this year, and I hope that a federal Truth Telling Commission will follow suit”.
The Cathedral has this year appointed its inaugural First Nations Canon, Wiradjuri man and Anglican Vicar of St Oswald’s Church, Glen Iris, the Revd Canon Glenn Loughrey.
Dean Loewe said:
“Archbishop Tutu’s prophetic voice has gone silent, but his calls for justice, urgent climate action and equality, and his speaking out against racism and exclusion remains as his legacy. They are an inspiration for the next generation of truth tellers and reconcilers. We thank God for his servant Desmond Tutu, and pray that the strong and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life may be a comfort to his family, and all who mourn him”.
Arrangements for a Service of Thanksgiving for Archbishop Tutu’s life and ministry to be held at St Paul’s Cathedral will be advised early in the New Year.