Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg

Date: 3 Feb 1985
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg

Desmond Mpilo Tutu was appointed and ordained as the first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg a month after winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The following year he was elected archbishop of Cape Town, which made him the head of the Anglican Church with a 1.6 million membership in South Africa. He used this position to intensify his opposition to the Apartheid system in the country.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01SAHO," Desmond Mpilo Tutu Timeline 1931- "'From SAHO,[Online] Available at: www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed on 8 February 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012579

South African History Online (2011) 'Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012579 (Accessed: 23 July 2026).

South African History Online, Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012579, (accessed 23 July 2026).

"Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012579. Accessed 23 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Desmond Tutu is appointed first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012579.