Archbishop of York announces retirement

The Archbishop of York has announced he will be retiring from his post - the second most important in the Church of England.

Dr John Sentamu was enthroned as archbishop in 2005.

He will retire on June 7 2020 – three days before his 71st birthday.

Dr Sentamu, who fled his native Uganda in the 1970s before studying at Cambridge University, was once tipped for the top role of Archbishop of Canterbury.

As he announced his retirement, he also thanked the Queen for allowing him to remain in the role beyond his 70th birthday, the point at which it is customary for a bishop to retire.

Paying tribute, the Archbishop of Canterbury said Dr Sentamu’s service was something to “rejoice in with great gratitude”.