Archbishop Tutu helps raise funds for the disabled
One of the world's foremost purveyors of peace -- South African archbishop Desmond Tutu -- stopped by Chicago's InterContinental Hotel on North Michigan Avenue Wednesday to talk about human dignity and to laud those with disabilities.
"Each one of us is created in the image of God," Tutu told a capacity Grand Ballroom crowd in a charity luncheon speech that praised cultural giants with disabilities such as Beethoven and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. "Each one of us is a God carrier."
(John H. White/Sun-Times)
The 1984 Nobel Peace Prize recipient also emphasized the importance of human interdependence. "God has made us in such a way that we really need each other," he said.
The event benefitted Brookfield-based Community Support Services -- which helps developmentally disabled kids, adults and families -- and raised about $150,000 from individual and corporate donors. $50,000 of that went to Tutu for his Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation.
According to Community Support Services vice president of development and marketing, Ellyn Harris, the charismatic clergyman's usual fee is $125,000.
Beforehand, at a cheese-and-wine VIP reception, scores of local luminaries and other invited guests lined up to pay the archbishop homage. He sat between First Lady Maggie Daley and Deloris Jordan -- Michael Jordan's mother -- and smilingly received well-wishers who engaged him in brief conversation and posed for pictures.
"What he's able to bring when he comes is spirituality," Mrs. Daley said. "And too often in our secular world, we don't talk about that. I think that's part of the problem."
The Rev. Kate Guistolise of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Skokie called being in Tutu's presence "a life-changing experience" and was taken with his dedication to deeds over words.
"He's one of the most wonderful icons for change in the world," she said before lunch was served. "He teaches not by lecturing, but by example. You look into his eyes and you see his soul."
