Pastor Robert Kayanja’s elder brother, Dr John Sentamu over the weekend retired after 15 years as the Archbishop of York and Church of England’s second most senior figure.
The 70-year-old delivered his final sermon on Sunday, reflecting on his life, including his early days in Uganda under dictator Idi Amin.
Dr Sentamu, will be succeeded by Stephen Cottrell, the current Bishop of Chelmsford, London next month.
Sentamu’s sermon was live across the BBC local radio network in a service led by his daughter, the Rev Grace Sentamu-Baverstock.
“Now it is time to open a new chapter in my life and I welcome the opportunity during these strange times to share some reflections, readings, songs and prayers with listeners of local radio,” he told the BBC.
During an exclusive interview with the Yorkshire newspaper, Dr Sentamu revealed that he turns 71 on Wednesday – and due to the the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, there will be no public farewell celebration in the Minster.
He told The Yorkshire newspaper, it will be “very private”. “It is the sign you have handed over the spiritualities of the cathedral to the Queen which will be picked up by my successor when they go to pay homage to Her Majesty,” he explained.
Dr Sentamu noted that the role of Archbishop opened many doors for him – but the burden of office had become a heavy one and he come to terms with retirement.
Brief Profile
Born: John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu, 10 June 1949, near Kampala, Uganda.
Family: The sixth of 13 children. Married in 1973, he and his wife Margaret have a daughter and a son.
Education: Read theology up to PhD level at Selwyn College, Cambridge.
Career: Practised law in the High Court of Uganda before fleeing to Britain in 1974 due to persecution under Idi Amin’s regime. Studied theology at Cambridge and was ordained in 1979. Rose through the Church of England, serving in parishes in Cambridge and London. Appointed Bishop of Stepney in 1996. Advised on the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and chaired the Damilola Taylor review in 2002. Before being appointed Archbishop of York in 2005, he had been Bishop of Birmingham since 2002.
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