February 3, 1985 - Desmond Mpilo Tutu Becomes First Black Anglican Bishop of South Africa

On February 3, 1985, Desmond Mpilo Tutu became the first black Anglican bishop of Johannesburg, South Africa, which marked a historic milestone in South African church history during the final years of apartheid in South Africa. While this appointment was groundbreaking, it was merely one of many notable achievements in Tutu’s life. As a prominent Anglican archbishop and vocal opponent of the racial segregation in South Africa, he became an international symbol of nonviolent resistance, reconciliation, and human dignity. He also received the Nobel Peace Prize, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, the Gandhi Peace Prize, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His work aided in garnering international attention to the moral and spiritual injustice of apartheid. Tomorrow on CHT we will explore just how different South Africa looked only sixty years prior.

Rooted in his Christian belief that all people are created in the image of God, Tutu challenged systemic racism and oppression while consistently advocating for forgiveness rather than revenge. His example reminds modern Christians of the gospel’s call to boldly confront injustice while continuing to embody Christ’s love and humility. His witness encourages Christians to publicly live out their faith, pursue reconciliation, and trust that obedience to Christ can evoke transformation even in the most corrupted systems.

Photograph sourced from Wikimedia Commons.