The Anglican Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Mpilo Tutu was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR). The ceremony occurred on the University Theatre on Friday (28), in recognition of their continuing struggle against poverty, prejudice and racism.
The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Ivo Juliatto Clement, president of the PUCPR, who remembered the relentless struggle of Tutu in the campaign to end apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation and democracy in South Africa "For all of us, Tutu leaves a message: we live in a world in which truth and freedom always prevail", he said.
Among the outstanding merit in the choice for the title, he is presented as a "global pilgrim to propagate spiritual values, human rights, nonviolence and tolerance, as well as their continuing struggle against poverty, prejudice and racism among all peoples the earth".
The president recalled his graduation ceremony at Columbia University (USA) in 1984, when Tutu was honored, but could not attend because he had been prohibited from leaving the South African, by government at the time. "I told myself that one day if I could, would do a tribute to this great man", said. The Archbishop greeted all present and invited authorities, thanked the memorial and spoke about his record of struggle.
Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa in 1931. He studied at the Normal School in Johannesburg and, in 1954 at the University of South Africa. He worked as a school teacher and was ordained priest in 1960. From 1967 to 1972, studied theology at King's College, London University. In 1975 he was appointed dean of St. Mary's Cathedral, in Johannesburg, and was consecrated a bishop in 1976, rising to head the diocese of Lesotho. In 1978 he became Secretary General of the Council of the Churches of South Africa
His proposal for the South African society included equal civil rights for all, abolition of laws that limited the movement of blacks, a common education system and end the forced deportation of blacks. After the end of apartheid in 1994, he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, aimed at promoting racial integration in South Africa, with powers to investigate, prosecute, and amnesty for human rights crimes committed under the system.
In 1997, released the final report of the Commission, which accused him of human rights violations so the authorities of the racist regime of South Africa as the organizations that fought against apartheid. At the same time he received the Nobel Peace Prize, was elected Archbishop of Johannesburg, and then of Cape Town. He received a doctorate honoris causa from major universities in the U.S., U.K. and Germany.
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