Support for Bishop Tutu Mounting
Episcopal News Service. March 20, 1980 [80099]
NEW YORK -- The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, is soliciting support from the 244 bishops of the Church for Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa whose passport was withdrawn in early March by his government.
In a communication from his office, Bishop Allin has asked his colleagues to protest the action against Bishop Tutu, who is former Bishop of Lesotho and currently general secretary of the South Africa Council of Churches. The action against the South African prelate came shortly after he had expressed his outrage at a 69-month prison sentence imposed on the Rev. David Russell for violating the terms of his banning order which had been issued because of his views and practices on apartheid.
The bishops of the Episcopal Church are being requested to join the Presiding Bishop in protesting the action by letter or telegram/cable to the U.S. President and Secretary of State and United Nations and South African officials, as well as their own U.S. senators and congressmen.
Bishop Allin had previously cabled Prime Minister P.W. Botha of South Africa about his "great sorrow, regret and indignation" upon hearing of that government's action.
Dr. Charles R. Lawrence of New York, President of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies -- composed of about 900 clergy and lay members -- has cabled Prime Minister Botha, saying, "We are shocked and saddened that your government has forced (Bishop Tutu) to surrender his passport. We urge strongly that this action be reconsidered."
Dr. Lawrence noted to the prime minister that Bishop Tutu "is deeply respected and loved throughout the Anglican Communion and Christendom."
To Bishop Tutu, Dr. Lawrence cabled: "I have joined my protest to that of the Presiding Bishop. Your example of faithfulness and courage are an inspiration to all. Our prayers, thoughts and love are with you and Mrs. Tutu."
The South African prelate replied by cable to Dr. Lawrence, "Thanks for prayerful support and God's blessings."
The U.S. State Department issued a public protest statement on the lifting of Bishop Tutu's passport which says, "The United States deplores this action of the South African Government. We oppose South Africa's practice of denying its citizens the right to travel. We are firmly convinced that it is not only unjust but also unwise for the South African Government to single out for punitive action so eminent a spokesman for the rights of all South Africa's citizens."
The State Department called Bishop Tutu "a man of great moral stature, deeply respected by members of all racial groups in South Africa and acknowledged in many countries to be a foremost leader in the struggle for human rights in South Africa."
The Roman Catholic Church and the Methodist Church of Southern Africa also protested the removal of Bishop Tutu's passport and urged the government to reconsider its decision, according to the office of the South Africa Council of Churches. Many other protests from religious groups -- including the U.S. National Council of Churches -- have been expressed over the incident.
The Rev. William L. Weiler, the Episcopal Church's Associate Ecumenical Officer for Washington Affairs, is in continuing touch with the U.S. State Department and other government offices in the nation's capital about developments in the situation.
Dr. Weiler said that he was informed by a spokesman at the State Department that Bishop Allin was one of the first leaders to ask that department to protest the South African government's action. As far as the State Department can determine, the spokesman said, no further restriction against Bishop Tutu is planned by the South African government.
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