http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/may/09/sewanee-tutu-calls-end-racism-and-humanitarian-cri/
Friday, May 9, 2008
By: Joan Garrett
Sewanee, Tenn. — South African humanitarian leader Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu called for an end to homophobia, racism and the humanitarian crises in Africa and the Middle East this morning in Sewanee.
“Let us together transform this world hurting from wars, injustice and oppression,” said Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who rose to fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. “Help me transform the hatred. Help me transform the homophobia. Help me transform poverty. Help me transform this world.”
Archbishop Tutu spoke to a crowd of more than 800 at the University of the South, which had gathered to celebrate the school of seminary’s graduation. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who holds the Anglican [sic. Episcopal] church’s top post, was also present at the event.
Before giving his speech Archbishop Tutu thanked Bishop Jefferts Schori for her graciousness in carrying the church through the “things happening in our communion.”
After making several jokes followed by roars of laughter, Archbishop Tutu asked the crowd to remember that God wants help to accomplish his work on earth.
“It is all God’s work, but God wants us to provide him with the means,” he said. “He waits for us to become God’s collaborators. It is quite astounding. God is willing to jeopardize the success of the God project for our collaboration.”
Archbishop Tutu said during the apartheid era, when blacks and whites in South Africa were legally segregated, he said nothing changed until a movement against apartheid began abroad and in his home country.
“Today that awesome desert has become a gorgeous garden of a new South Africa,” he said.
