Tutu laid to rest at state funeral in Cape Town

The funeral of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died last week aged 90, has taken place in Cape Town.

Tutu received a state funeral held inside the city's St George's Cathedral and attended by his widow Leah Tutu.

During the requiem mass, Leah was presented with the South African flag by the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The funeral was held after his body lay in state so that members of the public could pay their respects.

Tutu was a Nobel Peace Prize winner and Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, during which time he railed against apartheid. 

He is to be buried at the cathedral.

Addressing mourners during the mass, President Ramaphosa said Tutu was "our moral compass and national conscience". 

"Our departed father was a crusader in the struggle for freedom, for justice, for equality and for peace, not just in South Africa, the country of his birth, but around the world," he said. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby paid tribute to Tutu in a video message.

"Archbishop Tutu lit up the world," he said.

He continued, "That light has lit up countries globally that were struggling with fear, conflict, persecution, oppression, where the marginalised suffered.

"When we were in the dark, he brought light. For me to praise him is like a mouse giving tribute to an elephant.

"South Africa has given us extraordinary examples of towering leaders of the rainbow nation with President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu."

He added, "Many Nobel winners' lights have grown dimmer over time, but Archbishop Tutu's has grown brighter."

News
Bishop of Lincoln resigns after suspension over safeguarding complaint
Bishop of Lincoln resigns after suspension over safeguarding complaint

The Rt Rev Stephen Conway will step down as Bishop of Lincoln on 1 October, seven months after being suspended from ministry.

What links Tommy Robinson, Andrew Tate and the CofE’s newest bishop?
What links Tommy Robinson, Andrew Tate and the CofE’s newest bishop?

It’s not every Church of England bishop that can claim connections to both Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate. But Andrew Rumsey is an exception.

From Genesis to Revelation: The ambitious AI project turning the Bible into music
From Genesis to Revelation: The ambitious AI project turning the Bible into music

Micah Fiechter is the founder of the Music Bible, a project that has used AI to convert the entire Bible into music form across a range of genres. Christian Today spoke to Micah to find out more about what inspired him to start the project and the impact he hopes it will have.

Concerns for Pakistani teenage boy allegedly forced into Islam
Concerns for Pakistani teenage boy allegedly forced into Islam

Forced conversion is a problem in Pakistan.