Salisbury Cathedral commissions statue of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
It's to be added to the building's West Front
A new stone statue's been commissioned by Salisbury Cathedral to honour Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
He's been described as 'one of the outstanding Anglicans of the 20th and 21st centuries, a fearless leader of his Church and a tireless advocate of justice'.
Archbishop Tutu, who died in 2021 aged 90, was also a Sarum Canon, having been installed at Salisbury Cathedral in 2008.
If approved by the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, his statue will be positioned on the West Front of the Cathedral, alongside 81 other statues.
The oldest of those statues dates back to the 14th century, with the newest added in 2007.
The new statue is approximately 2 metres high and will be carved from Chicksgrove limestone by local stonecarver and sculptor Jay Battle.
The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, said:
“Salisbury Cathedral treasures its copy of Magna Carta, a landmark attempt to speak truth to the powerful and to call them to account. To honour Archbishop Tutu is to honour a holy and courageous leader whose faith compelled him to speak truth to the powerful and call them to account. We were honoured when he accepted the position of Sarum Canon and visited the Cathedral in 2008.
“Since his death the Chapter have sought a way to pay tribute to his life’s work and celebrate our connection in a visible and lasting way. Commissioning a new statue for the West Front is entirely fitting and will ensure that Archbishop Tutu’s service and example are remembered for many generations to come.”