'Impossible job' facing York's outspoken new archbishop

The former Archdeacon of York, the Venerable George Austin, told MATTHEW WOODCOCK about the virtually "impossible job" facing Britain's first black Archbishop.

A DISCIPLINED timetable and the ability to say 'no' will be key requirements if Dr John Sentamu is to be successful as the new Archbishop of York.

That is the view of his great friend, the Venerable George Austin, who has seen several Primates pass through Bishopthorpe Palace.

The list of commitments facing Dr Sentamu on a local, regional, national and international level is

seemingly endless.

It includes sitting on an array of committees which oversee the running of the Church of England, its policy and top appointments; managing the discipline of his bishops; taking a lead on the issues and crises of the day.

That is before he even considers how he will reverse declining church numbers, and heal damaging rifts among many clergy

over controversial issues such as women bishops and homosexuality.

"It's almost an impossible job," said Mr Austin, who describes his friend as an "outspoken, ebullient

character" who would "shake things up".

"Every one of his main roles is at least a full-time job. He will

need a very

disciplined timetable, and maybe a secretary who will make him say 'no' on

occasion. He won't be able to take too much on."

Mr Austin said he expected Dr Sentamu to take a lead role in fostering unity in some of the north's main ethnic minority communities where racial tensions exist, such as Bradford, Leeds and Blackburn.

"I'd have thought he will make that a priority

concern," he said.

"He will be called upon to provide leadership to the bishops, and has got to enliven the rest of the clergy to go with his vision."

Mr Austin said the new Archbishop had "a very personal ministry", and would "find it very hard to change".

Dr Sentamu will look to use his enthusiastic personality and message of love to try to heal the church's deep-rooted division on issues such as women bishops, he added.

"John is in favour of women bishops, but I'm sure he will try to make provision for those who can't accept it," Mr Austin said.

"Homosexuality will be another major issue. The trouble is that it has all become so polarised. He and the Archbishop of Canterbury must find a way through it."

What does the job of Primate involve?

The role of the Archbishop of York is predominantly three-fold.

On a local level, he is the Diocesan Bishop of York, supported by Suffragan Bishops in three archdeaconries.

On a regional level, he is Primate of England and Archbishop of the Province of York - the whole northern half of England - with pastoral oversight of the bishops in that province, and responsibility for clergy discipline.

On a national and international level, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, he is a leading spokesman on behalf of the Church of England,

as well as one of the presidents of the General Synod and of the Archbishop's Council.

He is also chairman and president of numerous other church bodies, and has a seat in the House of Lords.

The Archbishop is also patron or president of more than 200 charities/ organisations and patron to occasional short-term appeals - both church and secular. He may take up an issue or subject close to their heart.

The famous... and the infamous

MATTHEW WOODCOCK takes a look back at some of the great and infamous Archbishops of York.

Walter de Gray (1215-1255) - Respected as a good organiser, administrator, church builder, as well as a great ecclesiastic. Built the magnificent South Transept of York Minster (which contains his tomb) and the West Front of Ripon Cathedral.

Richard Le Scrope (1398-1405) - Arrested for high treason against Henry IV in controversial circumstances, and given the death sentence following a trial in the great hall at Bishopthorpe Palace. Le Scrope was then beheaded in a field off Scarcroft Road, and buried in the north aisle of the Lady Chapel in York Minster.

Robert Holgate (1545-1554) - Chiefly remembered as the founder of grammar schools at York, Old Malton and Hemsworth,

including Archbishop Holgate School.

Edward Vernon, later Harcourt (1807-1847) - Held the primacy for nearly 40 years, until the age of 90, and was universally respected. He was the father of 16 children and kept 40 servants. Harcourt and his wife Lady Anne were generous to the

villagers in Bishopthorpe, and every Tuesday and Friday the city's poor each received two loaves of bread and a silver threepenny piece. Vessels passing the Palace received free beer.

William Temple (1928-1942) - Renowned teacher and preacher,

perhaps best known for his 1942 book Christianity And Social Order, which set out an Anglican social theology, and a vision for what would constitute a just post-war society. One of his more famous sayings was "the Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members". Became Archbishop of Canterbury between 1942 and 1944.

Michael Ramsey (1956-1961) - A great theologian and a leader in the ecumenical movement. He was also a respected communicator.

John Habgood (1983-1995) - Considered to be an intellectual giant and was an expert on medical ethics. He was Archbishop at the time of the Minster fire and oversaw its massive restoration

project.

Updated: 11:48 Wednesday, November 30, 2005