HONOLULU, HAWAII – Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, the Anglican Church’s Archbishop Emeritus of South Africa, will participate in five events in Honolulu in August at the invitation of The Episcopal Church’s Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Archbishop Tutu, a noted advocate for peace and justice, is currently the chairman of The Elders, an independent group of international leaders who promote causes related to human rights.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Archbishop Tutu has accepted our invitation to speak in a number of forums in Honolulu,” says the Very Reverend Walter B.A. Brownridge, Dean of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. “The Archbishop is an inspirational leader and speaker whose message of reconciliation and faith has moved millions of people.” Father Brownridge first met Archbishop Tutu when he served in mission work in South Africa as a Canon of the Cathedral of Saint George in Cape Town.
Archbishop Tutu will speak at four events and participate in an interfaith prayer service at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. The events will, in part, help to endow the Desmond Tutu Outreach Fund for community benefit ministries in Hawai’i, such as the Cathedral of Saint Andrew’s tradition of support for the Institute of Human Services. The events include:
* An Evening With Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Friday, August 3, 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Archbishop Tutu will engage in a lively conversation with Leslie Wilcox, president and CEO of PBS Hawaii, in the historic Cathedral. Prior to the Conversation, guests will enjoy a reception catered by the Halekulani. Tickets are $500 per person for reserved seating, and $1,000 per person for the Archbishop’s Circle, which includes premium reserved seating near the Conversation stage, a special reception and photo with Archbishop Tutu.
* The Peggy Kai Memorial Lecture on Saturday, August 4,10 a.m. at Tenney Theater, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Archbishop Tutu’s lecture is supported by a generous grant from the estate of Peggy Kai, which allows the event to be free to the public. However, seating is limited and reservations are required. Two tickets will be allowed per person.
* The Bishop’s Lu’au With Archbishop Tutu on Saturday, August 4, 5 p.m. at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of Hawai’i, will host an evening with Archbishop Tutu featuring Hawaiian food, traditions and entertainment. Tickets are $75 per person.
* Choral Eucharist on Sunday, August 5 from 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Archbishop Tutu will be the preacher for the Sunday Holy Communion service. The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of Hawai’i, will be the service’s celebrant. The public is invited; there is no admission charge.
* Interfaith Prayer Service on Sunday, August 5 from 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Archbishop Tutu will join leaders from Hawai’i’s other faiths and denominations at an interfaith prayer service. He will participate in the service, but is not scheduled to speak. The public is invited; there is no admission charge.
Archbishop Tutu was an early and vocal opponent of the apartheid regime in his native South Africa. As a result of his brave stances, Archbishop Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, only the second black person ever to be so honored. In 1986 he was elected Archbishop of Cape Town, the first black to be named to the highest position in the Anglican Church in South Africa.
In 1994, after the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as president, Archbishop Tutu was appointed as chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate apartheid-era crimes. The Archbishop continues his ministry seeking peace and justice in support of women and homosexuals, and is a leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis.
For more information on Archbishop Tutu’s visit to Hawai’i, and to buy tickets or make reservations for any of the events, please visit www.tutuatthecathedralofstandrew.org. For further information, please call (808) 524-2822, ext. 577.
Submitted by The Episcopal Church’s Cathedral of Saint Andrew