South Africa
Nobel laureate Archibishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on Sunday celebrated four decades of service as a bishop at a mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in central Johannesburg.
The service presided over by the Archibishop’s close friend, Reverend Barney Pityana was well attended by several dignitaries including former South African presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe.
The 84-year-old priest moved and sang as songs of worship and praise rang out during the service.
I didn't expect any of this and it's a deeply touching
The Anglican Archbishop who served as Dean at St. Mary’s prior to his appointment as Bishop of Lesotho 40 years ago, said he was touched by the service and homily and thank all who contributed to its success.
“I was ordained deacon here (St. Mary’s Cathedral), I was made a priest here, and then I became Dean here, and I was consecrated here, and had my first consecration as Archbishop here” he’s quoted as saying by the Bdlive website.
He thanked the two former presidents who attended the service saying “I didn’t expect any of this and it’s a deeply touching thing that you should be here present.”
Archbishop Tutu became the first black archbishop of Cape Town where he was critical of the apartheid regime.
Since the end of apartheid in 1994, Desmond Tutu has campaigned for human rights. He has also campaigned to fight HIV/AIDS, racism, homophobia among others.
Go to video
Ireland edges South Africa in Rugby World Cup clash of titans
01:12
South Africa: Unusual waves hit the coast of Cape Town
01:46
South Africa holds state funeral for Zulu leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi
01:02
S.Africa: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's body returns home ahead of state burial
02:49
South Africa’s Russia trained medical graduates struggle to find job
Go to video
Johnson & Johnson under investigation in South Africa over 'excessive' drug prices