Champion of Social and Racial Justice

The Most Revd and Rt. Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, retired on Trinity Sunday (7 June 2020).
Dr Sentamu is Ugandan and studied law at Makerere University, Kampala.
He studied for ministry at Cambridge University. He was the 97th Archbishop of York
and the first black person to be appointed to that office.
In 2005, when he was being installed as Archbishop of York, the Service Programme referred to his ‘Inauguration’,
as he refused to use the term ‘Enthroned’, as that applied only to God.

The video presentation ‘In celebration and thanksgiving for his ministry’
indicates the esteem in which the Archbishop was held.
Archbishop Sentamu was praised for always reaching out and being inclusive,
encouraging young people; and most of all ‘for living like Christ in their midst’.
Unfortunately the celebrations which had been planned were curtailed due to the need for social distancing.
I had the privilege of working with Dr Sentamu in tackling institutional racism at the national level of the Church of England.
He is well respected in church and society, and yet he experienced racism throughout his entire ministry;
in fact some incidents were life threatening.
Dr Sentamu’s concerns for social and racial justice is borne out by his service to the society
in several areas for example, NACRO Young Offenders Committee;
Chair of the Damilola Taylor Murder Review;
the Stephen Lawrence Judicial Inquiry;
Vice Chair Commission on Urban Life and Faith.

Let us pray:
Father we thank you for the inspiring and Christ-like ministry of your servant John Sentamu
and ask for your continued blessings on John, Margaret and family.

Prayer written by the Archbishop for his 2016 Pilgrimage to the 470 parishes in the diocese:

Father in Heaven,

Mould me into Christlikeness,
and stir up in me,
the Fire of your Love.

Holy Spirit,
fill me with your Power,
and help me to tell of the Love
and Salvation in Jesus of Nazareth.

Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the Father,
renew my friendship in you,
and help me to Serve you
with a quiet mind
and a burning spirit.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
please keep me,
in the joy, simplicity, and compassion
of your Holy Gospel.

Amen

So as we retire for the night, we say, In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone, Lord make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4: 8)

Glynne Gordon-Carter