Unboxing Old Photos: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu visits Taiwan
A retrospective article reflecting on the 1995 and 2007 Taiwan visits by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle against apartheid.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 16:04
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Central News Agency Message
(CNA Website) An infectious, hearty laugh and the courage to speak sharply are the vivid images that Desmond Tutu, the first black Anglican archbishop in South Africa, left in the hearts of the world. Archbishop Tutu persisted in fighting the white South African government's apartheid system through non-violent means, was known as the "conscience of South Africa," and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He visited Taiwan twice and was deeply impressed by the friendliness, vitality, and hospitality of the Taiwanese people.
In June 1995, Archbishop Tutu visited Taiwan at the invitation of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to host theological lectures at Tainan Theological College and Seminary. At that time, South Africa had just completed its first non-racial election allowing all citizens to participate, and Taiwan was preparing to move towards direct presidential elections. President Lee Teng-hui specifically received Archbishop Tutu at the Presidential Office, praising his contributions to the democratic movement in South Africa.
In April 2007, Archbishop Tutu visited Taiwan again to attend the "Transitional Justice and National Reconciliation" seminar, sharing his experiences in pursuing transitional justice and ethnic reconciliation. During this trip, he visited the Machangding Memorial Park, the site where executions were carried out during the White Terror period, the 228 Memorial Museum, etc. He also met with the families of political victims and went to Gikong Presbyterian Church, the site of the "Lin family massacre," to meet the family of former DPP chairman Lin Yi-hsiung, sharing stories of how to move from hatred to forgiveness and pardon after suffering persecution.
Archbishop Tutu devoted his life to the peace and human rights movements in South Africa, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He had a deep friendship with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and repeatedly criticized the South African government for refusing to issue visas to the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, he was famous for supporting gay rights, and even stated in a UN speech, "I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven."
After South Africa's democratization, Archbishop Tutu served as the chairman of the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," encouraging perpetrators and victims to recount their experiences during the apartheid era to uncover the bloody atrocities of South Africa's dark days. Archbishop Tutu passed away on December 26, 2021, at the age of 90.
To see more photos of Archbishop Tutu, go to the CNA Image Space immediately. 1150422
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(CNA Website) An infectious, hearty laugh and the courage to speak sharply are the vivid images that Desmond Tutu, the first black Anglican archbishop in South Africa, left in the hearts of the world. Archbishop Tutu persisted in fighting the white South African government's apartheid system through non-violent means, was known as the "conscience of South Africa," and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He visited Taiwan twice and was deeply impressed by the friendliness, vitality, and hospitality of the Taiwanese people.
In June 1995, Archbishop Tutu visited Taiwan at the invitation of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to host theological lectures at Tainan Theological College and Seminary. At that time, South Africa had just completed its first non-racial election allowing all citizens to participate, and Taiwan was preparing to move towards direct presidential elections. President Lee Teng-hui specifically received Archbishop Tutu at the Presidential Office, praising his contributions to the democratic movement in South Africa.
In April 2007, Archbishop Tutu visited Taiwan again to attend the "Transitional Justice and National Reconciliation" seminar, sharing his experiences in pursuing transitional justice and ethnic reconciliation. During this trip, he visited the Machangding Memorial Park, the site where executions were carried out during the White Terror period, the 228 Memorial Museum, etc. He also met with the families of political victims and went to Gikong Presbyterian Church, the site of the "Lin family massacre," to meet the family of former DPP chairman Lin Yi-hsiung, sharing stories of how to move from hatred to forgiveness and pardon after suffering persecution.
Archbishop Tutu devoted his life to the peace and human rights movements in South Africa, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He had a deep friendship with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and repeatedly criticized the South African government for refusing to issue visas to the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, he was famous for supporting gay rights, and even stated in a UN speech, "I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven."
After South Africa's democratization, Archbishop Tutu served as the chairman of the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," encouraging perpetrators and victims to recount their experiences during the apartheid era to uncover the bloody atrocities of South Africa's dark days. Archbishop Tutu passed away on December 26, 2021, at the age of 90.
To see more photos of Archbishop Tutu, go to the CNA Image Space immediately. 1150422
Choosing to stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect freedom of the press.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video of this website cannot be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.