THE Archbishop of York today paid tribute to worshippers for their "faithfulness and devotion" in his last sermon at York Minster.

Speaking in front of a packed congregation, Dr David Hope - who is leaving his post after ten years as the Church of England's second most senior leader - insisted he was not taking up a parish post in West Yorkshire in order to "wind down".

Dr Hope said he had to be persuaded to preach on his farewell occasion and spoke of the fundamental need of the church to serve and doing everything to bring others to "loving obedience to Christ".

He paid tribute to everyone who exercised an ordained ministry, of whatever shape, and praised their faithfulness.

"I must pay tribute and express my appreciation to each and every one of you...for your faithfulness and devotion," he said.

"Having visited so many parishes and people even in the course of this last year I invariably come away strengthened and encouraged and not lease in those places without clergy or in a vacancy where individuals are seeing to it that the life of the church, its ministry, witness and mission continues."

He spoke of his appointment to St Margaret's, in Ilkley, and said he was "winding up" to take an active part again in parish life.

Dr Hope said: "Ever since my appointment...was announced people have been saying to me - I suppose you're winding down now Archbishop.

"To which my response has been - certainly not - quite the opposite - I am winding up - for the parish. I have it in mind that at the interview meeting with the churchwardens one of them said to me something to the effect that - 'Well you needn't think that you're coming here for an easy life'. So I think I have an inkling as to what I'm in for."

Dr Hope said he had been privileged to have served in Wakefield, London and York and ended by praising God saying: "With such a generous and gracious God no wonder we never 'lose heart'."

Updated: 11:59 Saturday, January 15, 2005