Uganda Cleric Becomes Britain’s First Black Archbishop in York

On 17th June morning, John Sentamu, currently the Bishop of Birmingham has been appointed as the next Archbishop of York, with official approval from Queen Elizabeth II. The 56-year-old bishop from Uganda will be the first black Archbishop in the history of the Church of England.

Growing up and educated in Uganda, Bishop Sentamu was once a barrister and a High Court judge before coming to the UK in 1974. He studied theology at Selwyn College Cambridge where he gained a Masters Degree and a Doctorate. He trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, then part of the Cambridge Federation of Theological Colleges.

In 1979, he was ordained into the priesthood. He has been serving in many parts of England throughout his ministry, mainly in positions of pastoral care. He was appointed Bishop of Stepney in 1996 and Bishop of Birmingham in 2002.

According to the Times, specialising in Law, Bishop Sentamu rose as a high public figure, as adviser to the Lawrence inquiry from 1997 to 1999, which explored how racist attitudes might have affected the police investigation into the murder of a promising black teenager. In Birmingham he has been a prominent campaigner against gun crime.

Bishop Sentamu appears to have particular interest over equality and social issues. He was a member of the Archbishop’s Advisory Group on Urban Priority Areas from 1987, and of the Revision Committee for the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood. He was Chairman of the General Synod’s Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns between 1990 and 1999. He is now a member of the Commission on Urban Life and Faith.

Bishop Sentamu is very excited with his appointment to the Church of England’s second-most senior role. He said in a statement, "I am looking forward to working with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops to lead the Church of England in its mission to the nation. It is imperative that the Church regains her vision and confidence in mission, developing ways that will enable the Church of England to reconnect imaginatively with England."

"It is important that the Church of England’s voice is heard locally, nationally and internationally, standing up for justice, bringing Good News to the poor, healing to the broken-hearted, setting at liberty those who are oppressed, and proclaiming the death of Christ and his resurrection until he comes again. What an exciting prospect."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who will be working closely with Bishop Sentamu, said he is absolutely delighted to welcome the appointment of Bishop John Sentamu as Archbishop of York.

Archbishop Williams commented, "He is someone who has always combined a passion for sharing the gospel with a keen sense of the problems and challenges of our society, particularly where racism is concerned. His ministry in London and Birmingham has been praised by Christians of all backgrounds. He is a caring pastor and an exciting communicator. I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with him."

On behalf of the Diocese of York, the Bishop of Hull, the Rt Revd Richard Frith, said, "This is an exciting moment for the Diocese of York. The Bishop of Birmingham is known as a man of energy and passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ - a thinker, campaigner and teacher - but above all a man of prayer and someone who lights up the Word of God for the world around him."

"His wide experience of life and the Church from Africa to Birmingham has shown him to be adaptable and versatile, and ready to engage with people of all backgrounds and ways of life. He challenges boundaries and fixed ideas about the world, the Church and the Christian Gospel - and he's great fun too."

Bishop Sentamu is married to Margaret, a Senior Selection Secretary in the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’ Council, and they have two grown-up children, Grace and Geoffrey. Bishop Sentamu’s interests include music, cooking, reading, athletics, rugby and football.

Bishop Sentamu succeeds the Most Reverend David Hope, who resigned in February to take up a post as a parish priest in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.