THE new Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has revealed he had a "John McEnroe moment" when his appointment to Bishopthorpe Palace was confirmed.

When the letter arrived from Downing Street confirming his post, he says he was, "genuinely surprised".

"I was like John McEnroe: 'You cannot be serious!' If I didn't know Tony Blair's handwriting, I would not have believed it".

Dr Sentamu will be enthroned as Britain's first black Archbishop at York Minster on Wednesday.

The former Bishop of Birmingham revealed he had received more than 4,000 letters from well-wishers since his appointment was announced five months ago.

He has also received a handful of racist hate mail, some of which was smeared with excrement.

"You ask yourself, 'Why has a person who has never met me done this?' he said.

"And because it is anonymous, I can't write back or invite them for a cup of tea.

"Jesus said you should pray for people who persecute you.

"Persecution is a bit strong here, but he meant those who don't like you.

"You can't be angry with a person you are praying for."

Dr Sentamu said his first priority when he moves to York will be to meet people.

He said: "I hope to find friends who will help me become the person I am trying to become.

"I have already written to say: 'Please let me know when I get things wrong.'

"I am looking forward to getting to know the people of Yorkshire.

"I'm told they are straight talkers, so we are bound to get on."

Updated: 09:48 Monday, November 28, 2005