Sunshine prevailed and the crowds cheered as Nelson Mandela opened the brand new north doors of Southwark Cathedral's Millennium project buildings on Saturday morning 28 April. After a service of thanksgiving and dedication in the Cathedral, Dr Mandela named a room in honour of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the International President of the Cathedral's Millennium Appeal.

Outside in the courtyard Dr Mandela spoke warmly about Desmond Tutu: "In the proud annals of the history of our country the name of Desmond Mpilo Tutu is indelibly inscribed. He was in the darkest days of apartheid a symbol and a source of hope: through his deeds and his faith reassuring that good must triumph over evil, hope over despair, love over hatred. … It was he who headed one of the most important bodies in our history, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Here was the pastor of the people helping to heal our nation, to promote reconciliation amongst people with such an intensely divided past.

"… I am certain that I speak for the Archbishop and indeed for our entire country when expressing gratitude for the prayers and support of the British and world church all through our dark years of suffering and in our struggle against apartheid. Without that moral and material support we could not have achieved what we now celebrate.
… I wish you well on your new pilgrimage into this new Millennium."

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Tom Butler blessed the new precincts and Dr Mandela opened the doors and unveiled flagstones carved: Opened by Nelson Mandela 2001 AD. The £10.2 million development has been partly funded by a Millennium Lottery grant of £4.6 million. The Cathedral appealed for matching funding in April 1999 when Archbishop Desmond Tutu launched the request. More …

The Dean of Southwark, the Very Rev Colin Slee commented: "We were thrilled to have Dr Mandela here and the crowds who turned out to greet him show how much everyone respects him. His example to the world as a man of reconciliation, generosity and sheer grace is without peer. Southwark Cathedral, which has always been associated with people on the fringes of society, is very honoured that such a man of justice came to open these new buildings."

Dr Mandela's 4-day UK visit is the launch of a month-long festival called Celebrate South Africa (Information: Charlotte, at Flagship, 020-7389 0537).

Additional information

The new resources at the Cathedral include: a Refectory, open to the public; a fine Library overlooking the Thames with specially commissioned stained glass by Ben Finn; teaching and seminar rooms; a Visitor Exhibition which is a hi-tech exploration of Southwark's colourful ecclesiastical and social history with commentary by Zoë Wanamaker, Peter Barker, Prunella Scales, Timothy West and Tommy Steele. The main entrance is through the North Doors, with engraving specially commissioned from Wendy Ramshaw OBE.

The Cathedral Education Centre which assists thousands of children every year now has an underground access past archaeological remains; choral training for children has been expanded by the establishment of a Girls' Choir to parallel the boys, drawn from all over London; the Cathedral itself has the stone restored, cleaned and architecturally lit and the entire churchyard area expanded and landscaped as a green space. Throughout the project resources to assist people with disabilities have been a high priority.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Rose Harding, Southwark Cathedral: 020-7367 6722.
Diocesan Communications Officer, Diocesan Office: 020-7939 9437.

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