Archbishop of York to retire

THE Church of England could appoint its first female archbishop after the Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, announced his retirement.

Dr Sentamu (right) – who has served as number two in the CofE hierarchy for 13 years – will quit in June 2020, days before his 71st birthday.

His decision opens the way for a woman to be chosen as his replacement.

A number of senior posts have gone to women in recent months, culminating in the choice last year of the Right Reverend Sarah Mullally as Bishop of London, the third-ranking bishop in the Church.

Ugandan-born Dr Sentamu was the first black archbishop in the CofE. He campaigned against poverty but did not adopt predictably liberal positions, praising the British Empire, backing the St George flag, defending traditional hymns and opposing same-sex civil marriage.