Desmond Tutu of South Africa: The World's Archbishop Emeritus of Body and Soul
Mary Lynn Dell, MD, MTS, ThM, DMin, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences and Division Head, Child and Family Psychiatry, University of Virginia
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) is remembered for his ministry of non-violence and reconciliation before, during, and after Apartheid in South Africa, for which he received the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. A schoolteacher called to ministry in the Anglican Church, he rose not only to lead his denomination, but to become highly regarded worldwide and across racial, political, socioeconomic divides for his ability to identify humanitarian issues and bring together diverse groups of people to address controversial problems – many with life and death ramifications.
While Tutu's ecumenical work, teachings, and writings offer insights into diversity, inclusion, and justice in healthcare and bioethics, he has much to teach both healthcare and religious professionals and organizations about the intersection of care of the body and care of the soul. His theological and pastoral approaches to body and soul are steeped in his own experiences and ability to empathize and internalize those of others. An excellent theological scholar, he implemented what he learned and synthesized when time for traditional academic productivity eluded him. His personal spiritual disciplines, especially his prayer life, sustained and invigorated his body and soul for his often grueling work. He was in touch personally with the limits of medicine, his own body challenged by polio, tuberculosis, and cancer. Through these experiences of health and illness, his personal faith, and public career in ministry, Tutu was quite familiar with the nature and boundaries of health and healing. More importantly, he continually worked at girding the limits of physical health and medicine with caring for souls – not only his own, but the those of others.
Incorporating Tutu’s biographical information, the presenter’s personal encounters with the Archbishop, his writings, and his roots in his Anglican faith and Ubuntu theology (“humans need each other to be human” and “human and divine identity find mutuality in the concepts of community”), this talk will explore the interdependence and care of body, mind, and spirit as embodied by the late Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of South Africa. In addition, connections will be made between: 1) Tutu’s body-mind-spirit perspectives; 2) his ecumenical relationships with leaders of other major world faith traditions; and, 3) other take home points regarding his positions on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice especially relevant to bioethics.
Battle M. (2021). Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.
Nadar S, Maluleke, T, Werner D, et al, editors. (2021). Ecumenical Encounters with Desmond Mpilo Tutu. Oxford, UK, Regnum Books.
Tutu D. (2011). God Is Not a Christian. New York, HarperCollins.
While Tutu's ecumenical work, teachings, and writings offer insights into diversity, inclusion, and justice in healthcare and bioethics, he has much to teach both healthcare and religious professionals and organizations about the intersection of care of the body and care of the soul. His theological and pastoral approaches to body and soul are steeped in his own experiences and ability to empathize and internalize those of others. An excellent theological scholar, he implemented what he learned and synthesized when time for traditional academic productivity eluded him. His personal spiritual disciplines, especially his prayer life, sustained and invigorated his body and soul for his often grueling work. He was in touch personally with the limits of medicine, his own body challenged by polio, tuberculosis, and cancer. Through these experiences of health and illness, his personal faith, and public career in ministry, Tutu was quite familiar with the nature and boundaries of health and healing. More importantly, he continually worked at girding the limits of physical health and medicine with caring for souls – not only his own, but the those of others.
Incorporating Tutu’s biographical information, the presenter’s personal encounters with the Archbishop, his writings, and his roots in his Anglican faith and Ubuntu theology (“humans need each other to be human” and “human and divine identity find mutuality in the concepts of community”), this talk will explore the interdependence and care of body, mind, and spirit as embodied by the late Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of South Africa. In addition, connections will be made between: 1) Tutu’s body-mind-spirit perspectives; 2) his ecumenical relationships with leaders of other major world faith traditions; and, 3) other take home points regarding his positions on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice especially relevant to bioethics.
Battle M. (2021). Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.
Nadar S, Maluleke, T, Werner D, et al, editors. (2021). Ecumenical Encounters with Desmond Mpilo Tutu. Oxford, UK, Regnum Books.
Tutu D. (2011). God Is Not a Christian. New York, HarperCollins.