Sentamu for Canterbury!
Fraser Nelson 2:59pm
John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, is our cover boy this week. It's the Church of
England Synod next week, word is that Rowan Williams will be standing down soon, and Rod Liddle is backing Sentamu as his successor. When planning the headline, I thought about calling him the
'British Obama'. We didn't use this, as it's not a compliment — but if Britain is to have a figure who epitomises our country's inherent tolerance and open-mindedness I'd pick Sentamu above
anyone else in public life. If he was made Archbishop, I really don't think there would be an uproar about the fact that he's black, or even that he came here as an Ugandan asylum seeker and still
speaks with an accent. He'd get stick for his views on gay marriage (which he opposes), and his conservative views (in keeping with George Carey) may yet cost him the job.
It is odd how Africans have become custodians of the conservative tradition in the Church of England, and I think Sentamu would be a brilliant pick now because he is what the Church needs: a genuinely inspirational figure. He has known hardship, having been beaten up by Idi Amin's thugs, and he tore up his dog collar and said he'd not wear it again until Mugabe has gone. His is a gritty Christianity, and he speaks in a way that many non-Christians can understand. There is even a John Sentamu City Academy set up in his honour in Hull. The Anglican communion is a worldwide one, and needs firm leadership. Sentamu could provide it.
P.S. Alongside Rod's article we've got a list of the runners and riders to succeed Rowan Williams, put together by Jonathan Wynne-Jones with help from the bookies at William Hill. Here it is for CoffeeHousers benefit:
Richard Chartres, Bishop of London: 6/4
If archbishops were appointed on the basis of looking the part, he would be a shoo-in. With his fastidiously groomed beard and stentorian voice, he offers unrivalled gravitas for the big occasions.
A friend of Prince Charles since their time at Cambridge University, he would no doubt be the establishment choice. But he views women clergy with the same fondness as an unclipped whisker, and the
Church is about to make them bishops.
John Sentamu, Archbishop of York: 7/4
The Ugandan has a common touch, rare among his colleagues, that makes him popular with the media. He is principled and charismatic — the perfect antidote to Williams. He is less well-liked in
the Church, however. Senior clergy use the acronym of his episcopal title, ABY, to mean Anyone But York.
Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry: 6/1
The youngest bishop in the Church is emerging as a likely successor to Rowan Williams despite, or maybe because of, the fact his profile is relatively low. Where Dr Williams’s promotion
deeply divided liberals and evangelicals, Cocksworth’s experience in a city famous for being a centre of reconciliation could be just what the Church craves after years of turbulence. He has
written at length about the challenges facing the modern Church.
Nick Baines, Bishop of Bradford: 5/1
Blogs and tweets on everything from Liverpool FC and the Beatles to ecumenical relationships with churches in Germany. A regular on Radio 2’s Pause for Thought, he understands the media and
has shown he is unafraid to take it on. Baines went to a comprehensive and spent most of his ministry in urban parishes. He is from the evangelical wing of the Church, yet liked by liberals, who
regard him as inclusive towards gays.
Tom Wright, Former Bishop of Durham: 8/1
The Church of England lost one of its greatest minds when N.T. Wright returned to academia in 2010. His critics would argue that he never really left the professorial life, given he spent much of
his time as bishop travelling the world to give lectures, but the evangelicals would welcome the return of a heavyweight who shares their conservative views. While widely admired by fellow bishops,
he was not widely liked, being seen as a poor team player.
Previous
Tiberius
February 2nd, 2012 3:11pm Report this commentI was looking forward to Michael Nazir Ali replacing the archbeard, but sadly he has moved on. John Sentamu is the next best choice.
Rhoda Klapp
February 2nd, 2012 3:12pm Report this commentLovely bloke. He's got about the same chance as I have, more's the pity.
JD
February 2nd, 2012 3:30pm Report this comment"... a figure who epitomises our country's inherent tolerance and open-mindedness I'd pick Sentamu above anyone else in public life"
I'm sorry I had to stop at this point to pick myself up off the floor.
Having said that I wholeheartedly support any lurch toward the bigoted wing of the Church as that can only hasten its disestablishment.
Russell
February 2nd, 2012 3:38pm Report this commentNot positive discrimination again, in religion, surely.
Why not a Mohammid Choudry? Why not a gay?
Maybe the church can select the best person for the job.
With only about 12% of the population of the UK claiming to be Church of England, I don't think it will be particularly newsworthy to anyone outside the Westminster/Press world.
Pot Head
February 2nd, 2012 3:43pm Report this commentApart from the inconvenient fact that he hates gay people.
Barry
February 2nd, 2012 4:00pm Report this commentI'd like to know where he stands now on the recommendations of the Macpherson Report, which he contributed to.
Heartless Curmudgeon
February 2nd, 2012 4:27pm Report this commentThe Hero of the H2B - gone!
The ridiculous policeman with a similar name - gone!
The ridiculous church-person chosen by The Hero of the H2B - going!
So that’s all good.
But will a sound Churchman succeed?
Not in a month of Sundays!
The Hero of the H2B so contaminated our land with PC twaddle and associated doctrine that it will take decades to put right. And the H2B is most certainly not the ‘person’ to do anything useful to help.
cg
February 2nd, 2012 4:30pm Report this commentI wonder how many people expressing an opinion on this actually go to church? Or have ever been regularlt? Or have any intention of ever going?
Halcyondaze
February 2nd, 2012 4:38pm Report this commentHeartless Curmudgeon - spot on!
Isn't it sad that the best we've got is Sentamu?
Still, the best we've got for a PM is that wet Cameron, and the best we've got for an opposition leader is the student Millipede. Just about says it all.
Anyway anything is better than that self-loathing ultra-leftie Williams. The sooner he's cosetted away in some palace the better. At least his disappearance might delay the country's Islamification by a year or two.
teledu
February 2nd, 2012 4:51pm Report this commentThe Bishop of Coventry's surname might be his undoing.
In2minds
February 2nd, 2012 5:20pm Report this commentThis is wonderful. For all the people bored with the independence for Scotland 'debate' there is now another game to play. This one is called 'Celebrity Bishops'. However, there is a problem. The bishops will see all the coverage and get even more annoying and pushy. As already noted, Michael Nazir Ali would have been fine but the rest are junk status. But then perhaps that's the idea?
In2minds
February 2nd, 2012 5:46pm Report this commentteledu - I take it you are referring to the bishopric joke?
cg
February 2nd, 2012 5:52pm Report this commentIt seems like CHers think the most important qualification for the post is having the right politics. How many of you go to church and how may are CofE?
It doesn't add up...
February 2nd, 2012 6:00pm Report this commentCrossword on candidates for Cantuar:
Even
Bishop
Of
Rochester
roman lee
February 2nd, 2012 6:32pm Report this commentIt seems like CHers think the most important qualification for the post is having the right politics.
belief in god is what most want.
Rhoda Klapp
February 2nd, 2012 6:37pm Report this comment"How many of you go to church and how may are CofE?"
Archbishop of Canterbury seems now to be allowd to comment on purely political issues, and is, as a presumed influence on the public, thus we all are entitled to an opinion, cofE or not. I am not a member of the Labour Party, but I have an opinion about their leader, god preserve him.
Craig Strachan
February 2nd, 2012 7:10pm Report this commentSentamu's regressive views on homosexuality should be a disqualifier. They'll certainly be a problem for Episcopalians in the United States.
James
February 2nd, 2012 7:18pm Report this comment"How many of you go to church and how may are CofE?"
Since Rowan Williams parked his tanks on the political lawn, your point is invalid.
A state-mandated church with a political agenda is everybody's concern.
(To answer your point, I'm CoE. Not that it matters, being agnostic and all that.)
bojimbo
February 2nd, 2012 7:59pm Report this commentNo women ?
salieri
February 2nd, 2012 8:38pm Report this commentIt's a pity that this appointment is in the gift of the Prime Minister. Every time the A of Y is interviewed one hears the voice not just of faith but of of common sense, decency, sincerity, compassion and intellectual honesty: drawbacks for any political appointment, I know, but even the Vatican gets it right sometimes...
Andrew Holden
February 2nd, 2012 8:57pm Report this commentABY!
Why not Jeoffrey John?
Mudplugger
February 2nd, 2012 9:03pm Report this commentTrouble with this column is there's too many just bashing the Bishop.
It'll ruin your eyesight.....
Wilf
February 2nd, 2012 11:00pm Report this commentAs a C of E insider I'm afraid to say this is a pretty poor list. The nominations commission will be looking for someone who can put in up to a decade - the next Lambeth Conference is due in 2018. This discounts all the over 60s, which is all but Cocksworth and Baines. Who should be on the list? Worcester, Truro and an outside bet on Norwich.
michael
February 3rd, 2012 11:30am Report this commentBloody southerners, always trying to nick off with our northern treasures. Bog off.
John Barton
February 3rd, 2012 12:01pm Report this commentAnyone concerned about what Archbishop Sentamu is purported to have said about the prospect of 'gay marriage', may be surprised to read his actual words. They are on his website.
Leonardo Ricardo
February 3rd, 2012 2:48pm Report this commentFrom far away Anglicanlandia in Central America a SHRILL CRY WAS HEARD throughout the hemisphere-- NO TO ARCHBISHOP JOHN SENTAMU AT CANTERBURY -- ++John, unfortunately, betrays his own words (in Jamaica most recently) and refuses to be held accountable for the deadly injustices inflicted on LGBT Anglicans in Uganda, Nigeria, Jamaica and beyond! The man is a grandstanding dangerous donothing!
cg
February 3rd, 2012 4:33pm Report this commentTo Rhoda and others - why do you think it unchristian for the Archbishop of Canterbury to oppose policies that result in misery for millions? I think you will find that he is rather less unpopular with church going Anglicans than with the selfish and squalid people who comment on here too often for their or anybody else's good. I shouldn't have to add this, but I am not a lefty, so you can't just rule out my opinion as 'politically' biased.
Nick the trainee vicar
February 3rd, 2012 8:09pm Report this commentGreat article, though just to point out a factual error - Bishop Paul Williams (Kensington) is the youngest C of E Bishop (he is my Bishop!)
EC
February 3rd, 2012 8:10pm Report this commentPot Head, February 2nd, 2012 3:43pm
"Apart from the inconvenient fact that he hates gay people."
HARK! Is that the hum of fibrulating sphincters coming from Lambeth Palace?
Rhys
February 5th, 2012 9:31am Report this commentSentamu so obviously WANTS it.
I would have thought that alone ought to rule him out.
It doesn't have to be a practising Bishop - can't they find some non-self-regarding, saintly parish priest or monk somewhere who would at least provide spiritual uplift ?
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