London – To the beat of African drums, a son of Uganda took his throne Wednesday as the first black archbishop in the Church of England, declaring his hope of inspiring the shrinking church with the confident faith of his homeland.
John Sentamu recalled that one of his predecessors had dreamed of a black taking the church’s second-highest position and told an applauding congregation in York: “Well, here I am!”
Sentamu, who moved to Britain in 1974 after clashing with Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, was installed as the 97th archbishop of York in a ceremony featuring dancers in leopard-print outfits, their heads covered in feathers, performing a dance of rejoicing and thanksgiving.
The 56-year-old Sentamu – who wore a bright blue and yellow cope and miter – joined drummers to beat time to “Siyahamba,” a favorite African hymn, after traveling by boat along the River Ouse from his official residence.
Anglicans are a growing force in Africa, and their leaders have been in the forefront of battles in the Anglican Communion over homosexuality and the correct interpretation of Scripture.
