Catholic university reverses decision not to invite Archbishop Tutu

Published: 2007-10-16

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul has reversed its decision not to invite retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa to speak on its campus. University president Father Dennis Dease said in a statement Oct. 10 that he has "wrestled with what is the right thing to do in this situation" and has concluded he "made the wrong decision earlier this year not to invite the archbishop." When St. Thomas originally declined an opportunity to invite Archbishop Tutu to the campus, Father Dease said he was concerned that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate might cause hurt to the local Jewish community because of past comments he has made criticizing the Israeli government's policies toward Palestinians. "Although well-intentioned, I did not have all of the facts and points of view, but now I do," Father Dease said. The opportunity to invite the Anglican leader, who won the peace prize in 1984, came through the school's partnership with PeaceJam International and its upper Midwest affiliate, Youthrive.

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