CTA President, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament condoles demise of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
DHARAMSALA, 27 Dec: The President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), as well as the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile(TPIE), have both offered their condolences over the demise of Archbishop Desmond Tutu as Tibetans mourn the passing away of “a very dear friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” and a champion of “peace and non-violence.”
“The light he represents will continue to shine as will his eternal message of peace, love and non-violence,” the President of the CTA Penpa Tsering tweeted declaring that “Tibetans mourn alongside millions around the world the demise of one of the greatest apostles of peace and non-violence, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.”
President Tsering concluded by offering his “prayers and condolences.”
The Speaker of the TPIE has stated in a missive addressed to the Archbishop’s daughter Rev. Mpho Tutu, that the passing away of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a dear friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet marks a very sad day for the Tibetans.
“December 26, 2021, marks a very sad day, especially for the Tibetans on receiving the news of the passing away of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was an icon of global peace, a dear friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet.”
The Speaker recalled an opportunity he had to meet the beloved anti-apartheid icon of South Africa at Dharamsala in 2015 and stated that “he dearly admired His Holiness the Dalai Lama and shared a spiritual bond with him.”
The Speaker further acknowledged Tutu’s support for the just cause of Tibet, his advocacy for human rights, global peace and humanitarian at large and declared “his departure from this world is very saddening news for all of us. I extend my heartiest condolence to his family and followers.”
“I hope we will be able to follow his guidance and words of compassion and humanity. We celebrate him and his legacy. He will live on in our hearts,” the letter read.
“Once again on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the entire Tibetans across the world, I send my sincere condolence and prayers during this difficult time,” he concluded.
As a mark of respect for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Central Tibetan Administration has declared today a half-day public holiday to hold a mass prayer service in the afternoon at Sikyong Hall at the Central Tibetan Secretariat here in Dharamsala.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the beloved anti-apartheid icon of South Africa passed away at Cape Town in South Africa in the early hours of Sunday aged 90.
South Africa has declared a week of mourning over the demise of the country’s moral compass and that his funeral is scheduled to be held on 1 January 2022 at Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral.
