Bishop Tutu, part 2.

      With Bishop Tutu's positive response to coming to the Quad Cities to receive the award  the planning wheels went in to motion. He set the date he'd be in the Quad Cities based on his schedule in Washington. D.C. When VIP's are involved suddenly other personages take an interest. Tutu accepted and invitation from the Episcopalian Bishop to lodge with him at his manse in Davenport. 

    A delegation went to the Quad Cities airport, Moline. IL., to meet the Tutus; the bishop and his wife,   Nomalizo Leah,  who went by "Leah". Airport security in the mid-eighties wasn't what it is today. We were able to meet them at the gate, accompanied them to baggage claim, where I commanded his two huge luggage bags. We bundled them into vehicles and brought him to the manse when I manhandled the bags up the stairway of the Victorian mansion.

   The Episcopalian bishop, not letting the opportunity pass, scheduled morning matins with Tutu as preacher. When Tutu entered the pulpit to begin is his sermon, beaming broadly, he proclaimed "I'm tickled pink to be here!" He giggled, then added "I am a man of color."  Effectively he laid out the reality of apartheid in South Africa, encouraged those in the service to get involved and gave direction of what they might do. This was all delivered in his winsome style, sprinkled with humor and no trace of bitterness. He was as winsome in private as we was in public.

   While the offering was being collected he circulated in the aisles, shaking hands and greeting people, always with a big smile. Bishop Gerald O'Keefe was present but refrained from communion. O'Keefe was famous for appearing to sleep at public events, then standing to speak, revealing that he hadn't missed a thing. During Tutu's sermon he looked totally awake  seen from my vantage point on the altar.

   This story will be continued in tomorrow's blog.

Takk for alt,

Al

                         Once again Earl speaks for me.😂