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Archbishop of Canterbury praises Nelson Mandela's courage Archbishop of Canterbury praises Nelson Mandela's courage
(about 1 hour later)
The Archbishop of Canterbury has praised Nelson Mandela's "extraordinary" courage and described him "that rarest of leaders" – a man who found wisdom in adversity and refused to yield to "bitterness and hatred".The Archbishop of Canterbury has praised Nelson Mandela's "extraordinary" courage and described him "that rarest of leaders" – a man who found wisdom in adversity and refused to yield to "bitterness and hatred".
Giving the sermon at a service of thanksgiving for the life of the former South African president at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on Sunday, Justin Welby reflected on Mandela's capacity for resistance and forgiveness. Giving the sermon at a service of thanksgiving for the life of the former South African president at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on Sunday, Justin Welby reflected on Mandela's capacity for resistance and forgiveness.
Like so many in South Africa, said the archbishop, Mandela had lived a life marked by oppression and injustice.Like so many in South Africa, said the archbishop, Mandela had lived a life marked by oppression and injustice.
"Not everyone responds to such treatment with resistance," said Welby. "Many of us would have kept our heads down, made what we could of life, looked after those close to us, and closed our eyes to what was happening. We would have said to ourselves, 'Life is tough enough, do not make it worse by swimming against the tide'."Not everyone responds to such treatment with resistance," said Welby. "Many of us would have kept our heads down, made what we could of life, looked after those close to us, and closed our eyes to what was happening. We would have said to ourselves, 'Life is tough enough, do not make it worse by swimming against the tide'.
"But Mandela had courage that showed itself in leadership. He stood out, resisted, and fought. He faced the insult of being labelled a terrorist for fighting for his own people, the absurdity of trial for treason against an utterly wicked regime.""But Mandela had courage that showed itself in leadership. He stood out, resisted, and fought. He faced the insult of being labelled a terrorist for fighting for his own people, the absurdity of trial for treason against an utterly wicked regime."
It was in the "school of hatred" that was prison that Mandela "learned to treasure the ideal of a just nation", the archbishop said. "His courage was undefeated, indomitable, extraordinary. His capacity to go on becoming more human was breathtaking. His guards grew to respect and even love him. One called him a father figure, whose absence was a bereavement. Robben Island was defeated by someone who could take everything it threw at him, and by melting courage into forgiveness, create the gold of reconciliation." It was in the "school of hatred" that was prison that Mandela "learned to treasure the ideal of a just nation", the archbishop said. "His courage was undefeated, indomitable, extraordinary. His capacity to go on becoming more human was breathtaking. His guards grew to respect and even love him. One called him a father figure whose absence was a bereavement. Robben Island was defeated by someone who could take everything it threw at him, and by melting courage into forgiveness, create the gold of reconciliation."
Noting Mandela's determination when confronting evil and his humanity in victory, Welby added: "What is more, such courage and humanity were learned and demonstrated in the mists of conflict and suffering. He was that rarest of leaders, those who learn from terrible events so as to exhaust all their lessons, rather than being shaped by them into bitterness and hatred."Noting Mandela's determination when confronting evil and his humanity in victory, Welby added: "What is more, such courage and humanity were learned and demonstrated in the mists of conflict and suffering. He was that rarest of leaders, those who learn from terrible events so as to exhaust all their lessons, rather than being shaped by them into bitterness and hatred."
Great injustice, said the archbishop, could be overcome only by great courage: "Evil can never be placated, it must be defeated: that means struggle, and struggles demand courage."Great injustice, said the archbishop, could be overcome only by great courage: "Evil can never be placated, it must be defeated: that means struggle, and struggles demand courage."
He also called for prayers for South Africa as the nation mourned Mandela and sought to find those to continue his work.He also called for prayers for South Africa as the nation mourned Mandela and sought to find those to continue his work.
Welby ended his sermon by saying: "Ask God for every nation to have leaders who are full of courage and resist evil, who learn from suffering, who turn that learning into love and make both into reality. And thank God for Nelson Mandela, South Africa's amazing grace."Welby ended his sermon by saying: "Ask God for every nation to have leaders who are full of courage and resist evil, who learn from suffering, who turn that learning into love and make both into reality. And thank God for Nelson Mandela, South Africa's amazing grace."
The service was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and featured a live link to Christ the King Church in Sophiatown in Johannesburg. The former poet laureate Andrew Motion read a poem called To Nelson Mandela: A Tribute during the service.The service was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and featured a live link to Christ the King Church in Sophiatown in Johannesburg. The former poet laureate Andrew Motion read a poem called To Nelson Mandela: A Tribute during the service.
Mandela's death on Thursday, at the age of 95, provoked a worldwide outpouring of emotion, with the Queen and the prime minister, David Cameron, among those paying their respects.Mandela's death on Thursday, at the age of 95, provoked a worldwide outpouring of emotion, with the Queen and the prime minister, David Cameron, among those paying their respects.
Westminster Abbey will hold a national service of thanksgiving for the life of Mandela after the state funeral in South Africa on 15 December, and parliament will hold a special ceremony to commemorate his life.Westminster Abbey will hold a national service of thanksgiving for the life of Mandela after the state funeral in South Africa on 15 December, and parliament will hold a special ceremony to commemorate his life.
A book of condolence has been opened in St Margaret's Church at the abbey. A minute's applause was held before kick-off at football matches across the UK on Saturday in Mandela's honour.A book of condolence has been opened in St Margaret's Church at the abbey. A minute's applause was held before kick-off at football matches across the UK on Saturday in Mandela's honour.
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