The hearts and prayers of members of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis in the African Province go out to the bereaved family of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. As a Franciscan in spirit, word and deeds, Tata Tutu was a wonderful person. Not only did he support and encourage The Third Order of the Society of St Francis on the African Continent, but the entire Society of St Francis in the Anglican Communion as a religious life for the ordained and laity. It was an honour for many of us Franciscans in Cape Town, nationally and globally, to have known and worked with such a great person, a man of God, who fought for the rights of the deprived and marginalized not only from the pulpit, but also from any platform that was availed to him. He will truly be missed.
The African Province and the Southern Region of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis have never missed the opportunity to send the Arch (as affectionately called) at the end of our Chapters, our well wishes. As we write to console the bereaved family, we do so with the word of God that: for we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it [1 Tim 6:7], so naked we came from our mother’s womb, and naked we will depart, therefore, the Lord Almighty gave Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to the Tutu family, and the Lord has taken him away; may the name of the Lord be praised [Job 1:21]. O gracious Lord, do not bring Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu into judgment, for no one living on this earth is righteous before You [Psalm 143:2].
On behalf of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis, African Province, and on my own behalf, Mama Leah and the children, may you comfort one another with these words.
PAX ET BONUM.
Rev Fr Dr Michael Twum-Darko, tssf
Minister Provincial (African Province)
27 December 2021
CC: Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation
