Denise Byard: Archbishop Desmond Tutu Bursary in Divinity Studies 2024

Demonstrating interest in and commitment to reconciliation and justice, the Faculty of Divinity congratulates Denise Byard – recipient of the 2024 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Bursary in Divinity Studies.

Along with Denise’s work as Lay Pastoral Associate (Missional Outreach and Discipleship) at Church of the Holy Trinity Guildwood, last year, she co-hosted and planned two special services: an Anglican reconciliation history and ministries service with Archbishop Fred Hiltz in June, and Truth and Reconciliation Sunday on September 24.

Established in 2021, this award honours the Archbishop Tutu (1931-2021) on the occasion of his 90th birthday. It is awarded annually to a Trinity College Faculty of Divinity Master of Divinity (MDiv) student who has demonstrated interest in causes related to humanitarianism, truth and reconciliation or climate change. In 2000, Archbishop Tutu received an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Divinity) from Trinity College.

>> More about Denise Byard (Feb. 2022): Denise answered a few questions about her journey to ministry and what’s important to her.

2021 Letter from Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

“Dear Friends,

I am truly bowled over with the wonderful news of the establishment of the Desmond Tutu Bursary in Divinity Studies at Trinity College at the University of Toronto. It is an immense pleasure to see my friends come together to give and to create something that will benefit young people. It is a generous act and I am deeply touched by it.

To every donor who supported the bursary, I want to say, in the spirit of Ubuntu, not only have you embraced our future generation with this educational gift, but you have also collectively taken action to give students hope and courage to affect change holistically.

Leah and I are very grateful for our friends in Canada and remember fondly how warmly we were received on every visit we made. We would have loved to be in attendance to celebrate with you my 90th birthday.

God bless all of you,

Archbishop Desmond Tutu.”

Categories: Awards & Honours; Theology