Archbishop Desmond Tutu Retires

Archbishop Desmond Tutu retires from his tireless work to achieve world peace and restoring South Africa.

In 1998 Tutu, and his wife Leah, founded the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, an organisation to encourage and inspire future generations to commit themselves to work for world peace.

"This brings together the vision for the centre as an important rallying point for all who strive for social justice; it will also be a space where we can celebrate our diversity and inter-connectedness, our ubuntu", said Bishop Tutu in 2009.

Bishop Desmond Tutu, champion for peace, retires on his 79th birthday.

Tutu, a Nobel Peace Laureate, emerged as a voice for the voiceless during apartheid in South Africa; someone who was able to "articulate the aspirations and the anguishes" of marginalised people.

President Obama said today of Tutu's retirement:

"It is with deep appreciation that I note Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s retirement from public life today on the occasion of his 79th birthday. This event invites us to celebrate his many accomplishments from which we have all benefited. For decades he has been a moral titan—a voice of principle, an unrelenting champion of justice, and a dedicated peacemaker. He played a pivotal role in his country’s struggle against apartheid and extraordinary example of pursuing a path to forgiveness and reconciliation in the new South Africa. He has also been an outspoken voice for freedom and justice in countries across the globe; a staunch defender of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons; and an advocate for treatment and prevention programs to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. We will miss his insight and his activism, but will continue to learn from his example. We wish the Archbishop and his family happiness in the years ahead."

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