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| Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in Capetown |
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has never been one to shy away from speaking truth to power and he's done it again over this week-end. In doing so, he's proven once again that he is one of the few clerics on the planet who, in my not so humble opinion, would make Jesus proud.
Last week, Archbishop Tutu,a leading figure in the world-wide Anglican Communion, backed out of a seminar in Johannesburg because he refused to share the stage with a war criminal named Tony Blair, whom the Archbishop believes should stand trial in the Hague for War Crimes, along with his buddy, George W. Bush. . Yesterday, writing in the UK newspaper The Guardian, he explained precisely why.
"On what grounds do we decide that Robert Mugabe should go the International Criminal Court, Tony Blair should join the international speakers' circuit, bin Laden should be assassinated, but Iraq should be invaded, not because it possesses weapons of mass destruction, as Mr Bush's chief supporter, Mr Blair, confessed last week, but in order to get rid of Saddam Hussein?"he continues:
"The question is not whether Saddam Hussein was good or bad or how many of his people he massacred. The point is that Mr Bush and Mr Blair should not have allowed themselves to stoop to his immoral level.
If it is acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie, without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?"
Imagine that--a Christian leader who actually speaks out in favor of the gospel message and who follows words with action. Verily verily-- I think Jesus would be proud. I know I am.
3 comments:
What a legacy we're leaving for those who follow unless we wake up and speak up very soon.
In fact, I have recently learned from doing some research for a post I am writing, Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush were only following in the footsteps of previously past leaders in their handling of Saddam. The reality of the situation is grim beyond imagination.
But the Bishop has hit the nail on the head. Furthermore, try as we might as a nation, we will never be able to truly move forward until we reject the evil of the past. We do that by punishing those who have committed crimes. Certainly not by allowing them to write books (for cash) and to make speeches celebrating their actions.
As another African leader once said, "Until that day, the dream of lasting peace shall be pursued but never attained."
Bishop Tutu has always been such a gutsy genuine Christian activist. I really admire him and you are right, Nomad-- he hits the nail on the head as he always does.
Thanks to both you and Sherri for taking the time to read and leave such thoughtful comments.
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