South Africa's Desmond Tutu retires from public life

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

South Africa's Desmond Tutu retires from public life
By Jon Herskovitz
Reuters
updated 10/7/2010 3:06:49 PM ET 2010-10-07T19:06:49

JOHANNESBURG — South African Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, who used his church pulpit as a platform to help bring down apartheid, officially retired from public duties Thursday.

Tutu, whose last major appearances came this summer when South Africa hosted the soccer World Cup, said shortly after he would step out of the spotlight to spend more time at home with his family.

U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement: "For decades he has been a moral titan, a voice of principle, an unrelenting champion of justice, and a dedicated peacemaker.

"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," Obama said.


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39557642/ns/world_news-africa/

[Taverner]

1. Wow - how old is he?

I may be an Atheist, but Bishop Tutu is a great man

[OmahaBlueDog]

2. I remember Tutu spoke while I was at Cal - and that must have been in '86 (?)

He's 79

[Judi Lynn]

4. Almost right at 79. n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

3. Rest and enjoy, Bishop Tutu.

You have served the world well, and we are grateful. :loveya:

[tabatha]

5. Love that man.

From the bottom of my heart.

[gateley]

6. I love that man.

[Demoiselle]

7. I wish him a long and joyful retirement, too. Lovely man, huge heart.

[Diclotican]

8. Judi Lynn

Judi Lynn

Hope he wil be given a good, nice retairment, from his public life. If anyone have the right to retairment after so many year in the spotlight. I rembember when he got the Nobel Peace Prize, even tho I was a young child then, and posible not know to mutch about the man, even that we learned a lot about Aparthaid and the fight for a democratic South Africa both then, and later as we was older... He IS a great man, who have allways stayed for the right, regarness of what the rest of the world have told him. That alone are not a easy feat, as many lesser men than him, would have be temtet to moderate his wiews.. If he had not been the Archbishop, and therefore a leader for the Chatolic Church in South Afrika, he might as wel had been targeded by the Aparthaid regime in South Afrika.. But he used the tools, to fight the good fight, even when the higher ups in Rome was not to pleased about what he did. You should be a brave soul, to talk Rome right in front.. Just a few ones have been doing that - and surived to talk about it

He must be an gigant by men, a man of great principle, and allays on the baricades for freedom, justice and peace.. Not a little fait at all.. he was a great man, who deserve some time in retairment.. But he is OLD, and Im afraid that he might have not that a long time with his friends, and his familiy.. But the time he is given, is deserved, rightfully

But, as Mandela, also a great mind, he wil posible be respected as older stateman, who wil be asked from time to time about issues.. I doubt a man like Desmound Tutu wil go out in the shadows, just like that.. Men like him, never really leave the center of the world, they lurk around the table, even after they officially retaire.. Mostly becouse leaders need them to at least give advices

Diclotican

[applegrove]

9. May he have a long and happy retirement. n/t