A black Archbishop of Canterburt

[Gromit]

Dr John Sentamu is favourite to become the leader of the Church of England.

Would the appointment of a black man be significant and a sign of how multicultural we have become?

Would the EDL be happy with this appointment?

http://www.telegraph....e-Rowan-Williams.html

[Gromit]

*Canterbury*

[boxtops]

I don't care what the EDL think about it, gromit - I think it would be a positive and forward-thinking step, if he's the best man for the job.

[Zhukov]

Would Sentamu continue to work for Rupert Murdoch..that was"nt a smart move..

[mike11111]

It would be supremely ironic. For nigh on 200 years we have been sending missionaries to the dark continent to ennoble the savage. They have obviously learned their lessons well because they now send back one of their own to civilise a church which has lost its way and teach it to cling to the faith. Although I find Sentamu a bit too flamboyant for my taste I entertain no doubts about his orthodoxy and would not object to his appointment, though my choice is Chartres of London (no chance because he is oppposed to women priests)

[Baldric]

Colour should not be an issue, suitability for the job should be the decider.

[Gromit]

That is my view Baldric

[humbersloop]

Looks like the EDL are a fairly godless lot actually

http://www.brin.ac.uk...glish-defence-league/

[sp1814]

I'm opposed to his election because it would mean a shift to the right I the CofE.

I wholly disagree with his views on homosexuality (not just gay marriage). What we have seen over the past 50 years is a growing acceptance of gay people (check out the latest ICM polls) but suspect Sentamu will pull the church in the opposite direction to where we're going in society.

Then again, perhaps this may be a good thing - the church should be sticking to its principles and accept that in 50 years, it's relevance will be diminished (as it has over the past 50 years)...however, it will know that it's followers won't have to compromise its core beliefs.

[jno]

I agree with sp1814. People like Sentamu because he is thought to offer clearer, more outspoken guidance than Williams. But Williams has had to fudge because he leads a hopelessly fragmented congregation, from liberal Americans who think gays should be priests to conservative Africans who think homosexuality is a perversion. (I'm just picking gays as one source of disagreement; there are others.)

If Sentamu speaks forthrightly on this, he's going to outrage one part of the church or another, and quite possibly split the worldwide Anglican communion. I don't know whether UK Anglicans worry about this or not, or which line they would prefer their church to take.

[emmie]

a good man for the job, does anyone care what EDL think, besides i guess it's not something they may even care about.

[naomi24]

He strikes me as a very arrogant man. I don't like him at all.

As to whether or not the EDL would approve of a black Archbishop of Canterbury, maybe you should ask the 45% who claim to be Christian if they approve of a black Archbishop of York. I’ve not heard them saying they don’t – and actually, in this day and age when we should be past all that nonsense, I think it’s very sad that such a question is asked. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have asked it, Gromit – just that it’s sad that such considerations are still – well - considerations for some.

I also agree with SP.

[bazwillrun]

he will probably get the job because he is black, that should suit all the handwringers

[sandyRoe]

Judging from earlier posts here, it won't suit the limp wristed handwringers, obviously.

[emmie]

shouldn't he or whoever get the job on merit?

[anotheoldgit]

I seem to remember that on the TV news last night he was asked if he would be going for the job, to which he replied "You must be joking"

Can't see what the EDL has got to do with it though, except only as part of Gromits warped humour.

[DTCwordfan]

I see the Bishop of Truro, Tim Thornton, is reckoned to be in the race. Why?

We have one before, the 1st Bish back in 1877 and then he went to Canterbury in 1883.

[sandyRoe]

Did I read recently that the EDL had infiltrated the very highest levels of the CoE?
They might yet thwart Sentamu's ambition.

[jno]

in theory, you pick the best man for the job. In practice, I have no idea what that means. I doubt there's any consensus at all, in or out of the church, on what makes a "good" archbishop.

[DTCwordfan]

AOG = Archbishop or Gromit?