Obama praises retiring Tutu

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday called South African Bishop Desmond Tutu a "moral titan" as the 79-year-old Tutu retires from public life.

"For decades he has been a moral titan -- a voice of principle, an unrelenting champion of justice and a dedicated peacemaker," the president said in a statement released by the White House.

"He played a pivotal role in his country's struggle against apartheid and extraordinary example of pursuing a path to forgiveness and reconciliation in the new South Africa," Obama said.

Tutu was awarded the Congressional Medal of Freedom by the president in August 2009 for his stand against apartheid in South Africa and for chairing the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

"We will miss his insight and his activism, but will continue to learn from his example," the president said. "We wish the archbishop and his family happiness in the years ahead."

Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.