We’ve been looking forward to this one all week 🔥 It is the battle of the 🇿🇦Arches🇺🇬!!! The Elate Eight brings us a showdown for the ages. The man who took out Elizabeth Seton, Edith Stein, and apartheid itself… it is Archbishop Desmond Tutu 🙌
But his opponent is no slouch. He has taken down Wang Zhiming, Damien of Hawaii, and stood boldly against Idi Amin. Bishop Pogo’s favorite saint… Archbishop Janani Luwum ✝️
The whole continent of Africa has to be watching as the Archbishop of Cape Town🇿🇦 meets the Archbishop of Uganda🇺🇬. This is a vote to watch across time zones
Who will join our first entrant in the Faithful Four after a huge upset… Martin Luther, who just took down Joan of Arc 54.35 to 45.65% ⚔️🔥
Watch, read, and VOTE 🗳️
Janani Luwum
I am so excited that Janani Luwum made it through to the Elate Eight because I had so much more I wanted to share about him with the readers of Lent Madness in the Saintly Sixteen round. However, my original 2,500-word paper needed some serious trimming. This week, I thought it would be fun to share more of the personal side of Luwum—especially as there appears to be exactly one merchandise item on the internet in his honor of him.
Many were incredibly moved by Janani’s quote about praying for the president. I wonder if Luwum would have had a bumper sticker like this to remind people to pray for the Amin regime.
Janani also stated that the only weapon he possessed was his Bible. It was his means of resisting oppression and one he used with remarkable courage.
Janani was multitalented, able to turn his hand to just about any task, project, or challenge. He was also known for his skill in dancing and playing the lukeme. Could you play as well as he did?
At age 20, he planned a wedding and tea party for one of his best friends. Throughout his life, Janani shared countless cups of tea with people who sought his counsel, help in finding loved ones, spiritual guidance, friendship, and much more. He was known for welcoming others into his home with tea and even had tea on numerous occasions with Idi Amin.
Janani is remembered for his stick figure drawings. Laugh all you want, but they earned him the top grade in “practical teaching,” a skill he used throughout his career. From the sounds of it, he likely continued dazzling people with his art as well. His Biblical story illustrations remain what he is best known for.
Janani was known for building items out of “nothing”. Chicken coops out of 50-gallon drums were his specialty.
The one piece of merch I could find was a sticker by Lansing Creative with a beautiful quote and image of Janani.
Lastly, many people have asked what books I would recommend for further reading about Janani Luwum. The most comprehensive is Janani: The Making of a Martyr written by his secretary, Margaret Ford. I found it rich in personal details. The other two books each devote a section to him: A Dangerous Dozens and Clouds of Witnesses.
As I said before, Janani truly embodies this year’s Lent Madness theme of Bridge Builder and Community Maker. He cared for friends and enemies alike, used his many skills to serve the communities and world entrusted to him, and left behind a legacy that deserves to be shouted from the rooftops—or perhaps shared over a cup of tea.
— Sara Kay Hill
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu is one of the more recent saints in this year’s matchups, so his merch and kitsch game is strong. There are myriad T-shirts, posters, and art related to him and his words, but I want to focus on some of the more unique offerings that honor him.
Kelly Latimore Icons offers a simple prayer candle, but if you need the Arch nearby more often Pocket Peacemakers on Etsy has a Pocket Desmond Tutu that is more portable. If you like figurines, but prefer something more detailed, Zapiro Collectables made one for the Archbishop. If this is still too small for your needs, there is a 2-foot-tall cardboard cut-out for your home or office through Celebrity Cutouts.
The Arch’s message is for people of all ages, and he wrote the Children of God Storybook Bible where he retells 50 of his most beloved Bible stories. As you read a bedtime Bible story to your child, they can curl up with the Desmond Tutu Zuko doll, made in Cape Town by Ethline Manqaba. It will be almost like he’s really there!
For those who have their eyes on something more collectable, consider these Solomon Island stamps (sold by Vt-lady 2024 on Ebay) or an authenticated typed and signed letter. For a real investment, check out the $1500 autographed baseball from Showpieces Sports. (For the record, I could find no evidence that The Arch was an avid baseball fan. He is known to have once said “I didn’t know baseball from ping-pong” when speaking of his admiration of Jackie Robinson. I guess you have to purchase the item to hear how and why it came to be…)
I think the greatest pieces of “merchandise” for the Archbishop are his words of wisdom. Consider meditating on his words in this PDF embroidery pattern from Kiffstitch on Etsy or spend time with one of his books. Several people in the comments have mentioned The Book of Joy, and there’s always his classic God has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time.
Which item most appeals to you?
— Emily Kiel
54 comments on “Janani Luwum vs. Desmond Tutu”
I voted for Archbishop Janani Luwum, a martyr for our time.
Love both kitschy kitsch items in this round, but Bishop Desmond Tutu fought hatred and won. His encouragement and determination manifested itself not only in South Africans directly involved in overturning Apartheid, but in many other places around the world battling inequality, racism and political oppression. He is the one. (Secretly wishing I had the Desmond Tutu bobblehead…)
I am so desperately torn on this vote. One reminds us that we must pray for our president, and then was killed by the regime. The other led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to heal the wounds of a broken nation without violence. I voted for Janani, but it could have gone either way. We need the example, inspiration, and guidance of both saints today.
Am I the only one who thinks the comment about Idi Amin and a hypothetical bumper sticker is too soon???
Too soon for what? Why?
Being called to pray for POTUS no matter who that is certainly tests our faith in these trying times. I get it. Boting for our beautiful brother Desmond though.
NO contest.... Desmond Tutu remains my all- time saint.
He’s been my favorite since this year’s tournament began. I recently read the book of joy and found the love and humor of the dalai llama and the archbishop so very healing in today’s political climate!
In appreciation of Sara Kay Hill's clever way of making kitsch out of no kitsch - and because The Arch has already been roundly acknowledged throughout the world - my vote goes to Janani. His story deserves to be heard.
That plus his having tea with so many people (friends and enemies) got me, also a tea drinker, to vote for him.
Such wonderful essays today. The bishops are toasting with their teacups and laughing with joy.
Agonizing decision but I stuck with Archbishop Janani once again. I love both of these men, who I consider to be modern prophets, but I also believe Janani's story should be heard in today's world. I am still awed by his loving and holy suggestion to love the president.
I want to add that I absolutely adore the cardboard cutout of Archbishop Tutu.
Have to go with the Arch. I was in So Africa in 95 and saw what he did.
I can’t decide. But I went with Abp. Luwum because of a story I once heard about him: in a meeting with Amin, there was a gun on a table within his reach. Abp. Luwum handed it to Amin, saying “I believe this is yours.”
I have no idea if this is true, but it sticks in my mind.
I am so surprised at my vote for Luwum today. I was swayed by the writing and when it comes to merch, the sticker won me over.
The Book of Joy was life changing so this was really tough
Found the book of joy at embrace books and totally charmed by these holy friends, am reading the meditations every day and plan to go back to the beginning and read it all over again. All so relevant in these difficult times.
My man Desmond is way ahead and I couldn’t be more happy. He made a huge impression on me with his Truth and Reconciliation plan that had wrongdoers confess to their misdeeds but offered no retribution for them. Lasting peace was his goal. His friendship with the Dalai Lama was legendary. I read their book with pleasure. I hope he gets the Golden Halo!
I had planned to vote for Desmond, but ended up voting for Janani. I couldn’t get over his loving the president. I struggle with this—“love your enemies”—especially the one with the same initials as Desmond Tutu—and don’t know if I’ll ever get there.
Hardest choice of all. They should be able to share the Golden Halo.
Much as I admire Archbishop Luwum, I admire Archbishop Tutu more.
Tutu! The Book of Joy shows how showing cooperation, respect and tolerance for other religions can light the world. PLUS Tutu supported same sex marriage. I once spent time* w Brigalia Bam one of Tutu's colleagues and she is another inspiration for my Tutu vote. Dr. Bam told a story of de Klerk and Tutu out on a boat negotiating. de Klerk's hat blew off. Tutu got out of the boat to get the hat. Thus proving that Tutu could walk on water. I didn't make that up, but she did.
*at a Reimaging Conference - remember those? Readers may be too young!
I had to vote for Tutu, who once spent an hour meditating upon the beautiful stained glass window of St. George's in Michigan.
I am very pleased to have learned about the life and works of Bishop Janani Luwum, but my vote goes to Desmond Tutu. He is an icon, almost like a biblical patriarch.
The first words that come to my mind when I think of Desmond Tutu
are love and joy. The current times demand that from all of us.
Thank God and thank you all!!! With all due reverence for the witness of Archbishop Luwum, I am so relieved that the Anglican Communion's Most Beloved Most Reverend Of All Time
is advancing! I will sleep well tonight -- which, for a priest in the failed retirement phase of my parish ministry, is very helpful as Holy Week approaches. (I suspect a certain Archbishop in Canterbury would also be pleased ... but she's rather busy today.) Desmond for the Halo!
This year’s most wonderful, maddening, choices have been both to the Nth power. Incredibly challenging and informative. I am led to vote for Janani. Having a friend who was also a Ugandan Bishop (Kampala) I admire the faith of the Ugandan Christians.
I want to vote for both….Janani prays for people that are labeled evil. As too pray for those labeled evil. Everyone is a child of God! As a teacher for half of my life I saw many children, parents, staff who said or behaved in what would may be labeled evil. I think all that looks evil are actions. For me I believe whatever happened in early years of development birth to five is revealed in our actions and words- lots of pain and mental illness. God knows that.
Desmond Tutu was and is love…. I want both to be halo-ed!
Happy Lent!
Possibly unfair due to the recent appearance of Desmond Tutu, but merch/kitsch goes to him today. Again, both worthy for golden halo.
I got busted yesterday with Joan of Arc's loss, but this year has had some great match-ups!
Desmond Tutu all the way!!! His smile, his books, his fortitude, his amazing Love - how can I not vote for that?
I am so glad that Janani is in this year’s Lent Madness. I was not aware of his amazing work. If he wasn’t against Tutu, I’d vote for him.
Tutu for the Golden Halo!
Well I guess he is better than a shot in the month.
This is one match-up where I voted for one but would not be sorry if the other one advanced.
My devotional practice is to more often than not vote for the underdog. Arch Bish Tutu is so well known that he receives many accolades both in the religious and secular spheres. It was a pleasure and honor to vote for Rev'd Luwum. It has been fascinating to read and discover his stories; maybe he should be moved forward to next year's LM, too.
I was really torn coming to this matchup. Both are worthy winners of the Golden Halo. After wrestling for a while I went to cast my vote. I tried three times and each time failed which I have taken as a sign. I hope that both advance.