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Ugandan-born Sentamu becomes Archbishop of York

Episcopal News Service 

Archbishop of York John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu Photo by James Rosenthal, Anglican Communion News service

Ugandan-born John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu was inaugurated as the 97th Archbishop of York during a colorful and ground-breaking ceremony at York’s ancient Minster in Northern England on Nov. 30, making him the first African to hold the position.

The historic oaths, combined with Anglican choral music, Ugandan praise music and the seating of the newly installed Archbishop in the cathedra — the Archiepiscopal seat of York Minster — were witnessed by more than 2,500 people attending the service, including Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, senior clergy from the Dioceses of Birmingham, London and York, Primates of the Anglican Communion and bishops of the Church of England.

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, was among those attending.

During the sermon, Sentamu, 56, challenged those who are judgmental and moralizing to find friends among the poor, the marginalized, the vulnerable, “among the young, among older people, and those in society who are demonized and dehumanized; and stand shoulder to shoulder with them.”

After Williams anointed Sentamu with oil, one of the ancient customs of the ceremony, the two archbishops embraced and the congregation burst into applause.

Extensive ministry

As Primate of England and Archbishop of the Province of York, which includes 14 dioceses in the northern half of England, Sentamu is responsible for the pastoral oversight of bishops and clergy in that province, as well as providing support to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

He also becomes Diocesan Bishop of York, assisted by Suffragan Bishops in three archdeaconries.

Sentamu will be a leading spokesman on behalf of the Church of England and one of the Presidents of the General Synod, the Church of England’s main governing body, and the Archbishop’s Council.

Born and educated in Uganda, Sentamu graduated in Law from Makerere University, Kampala, and is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda.

After seeking sanctuary in Britain in 1974, he read theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he gained a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate. He was appointed Bishop of Stepney in 1996 and Bishop of Birmingham, England, in 2002.

Sentamu succeeds Dr. David Hope, who resigned in February 2005 to become a parish priest in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

A risk taker

In choosing a new Archbishop of York — a historic succession that dates back to 627 A.D.— the Crown Nominations Commission, which oversees the selection process for bishops in the Church of England, sought an Archbishop with a vision for and confidence in mission; a risk taker; an accessible and open-hearted pastor; and someone with a concern for the poor and for social justice.

He is married to Margaret, a senior selection secretary in the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’ Council, and they have two grown children.