"Archbishop Desmond Tutu announces retirement from public life"

Nodin

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu is to withdraw from public life after decades of struggling against apartheid and global injustices to spend more time with his family – and watch cricket.
The South African Nobel Peace laureate, who is often referred to as "South Africa's moral conscience", said today that he would cut his workload to one day a week when he turns 79 on October 7.
"I have done as much as I can and need time to do things I have really wanted to do," Tutu said in Cape Town during a nationally televised news conference. "I do want a little more quiet."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/22/archbishop-desmond-tutu-retires

Though I didn't and don't agree with all of his views, he certainly was one of the 'great men' of the 20th/21st Century, and had the compassion to look outwards to other peoples as well as his own, as did Mandela. However it does beg the question as to whose there to take their place. Thoughts?

oppenheimer1

Nodin wrote: »

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu is to withdraw from public life after decades of struggling against apartheid and global injustices to spend more time with his family – and watch cricket.
The South African Nobel Peace laureate, who is often referred to as "South Africa's moral conscience", said today that he would cut his workload to one day a week when he turns 79 on October 7.
"I have done as much as I can and need time to do things I have really wanted to do," Tutu said in Cape Town during a nationally televised news conference. "I do want a little more quiet."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/22/archbishop-desmond-tutu-retires

Though I didn't and don't agree with all of his views, he certainly was one of the 'great men' of the 20th/21st Century, and had the compassion to look outwards to other peoples as well as his own, as did Mandela. However it does beg the question as to whose there to take their place. Thoughts?

What views of his do you take issue with?

The_Minister

I've always loved his sense of humour.

Nodin

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

What views of his do you take issue with?

Well, he's a Bishop and I'm an atheist so.....

wes

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a great man, and its good to see that he is getting a well earned retirement. Good luck to him

bijapos

A great leader of people. I especially remember during the 80's when Thatcher and Reagan were opposing sanctions saying "we know they will hurt the people", Tutu put them on the spot constantly by asking for those very sanctions.

After apartheid looked for reconciliation rather than revenge, it could have been so easy to blame the whites for political gain but he didn't.

He was outspoken on issues such as HIV, women, gay rights and the Church amongst others, never afraid to go against the grain or public opinion. Here he is on the Bible...(my highlights)

"You have to understand is that the Bible is really a library of books and it has different categories of material. There are certain parts which you have to say no to. The Bible accepted slavery. St Paul said women should not speak in church at all and there are people who have used that to say women should not be ordained. There are many things that you shouldn't accept"

He probably wasn't perfect and I've no doubt a lot of people will have their critiscisms of him but then none of us are perfect.

I think history will judge him in a very positive light.

I wish him well.

The_Minister

My favorite clip of the man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHUjnWVsYc0

simonj

A great world statesman.
Said he was going home to spend time with his wife and drink rooiboos tea, having had the tea, I hope his wife makes up for having to drink something like that

I hope we will hear of and from him for many years to come