Archbishop Of York in Jamaica

Archbishop Sentamu will address Anglican Youth Assembly on October 9 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.

More than 2000 young people, representing Anglician schools and congregagtions across Jamaica are expected to attend. The event will start at 3 p.m and is a part of the scheduled activities planned for the Archbishop’s visit to the island.

Sasha Wright, youth director and member of the planning committee said the visit of the Archbishop is the highlight of Diocese’s commemoration of the bi- centenary of the abolition of the trans-atlantic slave trade, which is being observed under the theme: ‘Called to freedom, working for justice, embracing responsibility’.

“The theme is critical as we are focussing on further developing a culture of responsibility among our young people,” said Wright.” The Archbishop’s address to the Youth Gathering will be a motivational story, which will give the youngsters insight on the African and English aspects of our history as a Church and as a race,” she added.

The event will feature performances in speech, song, and dance. Archbishop Sentamu will deliver the main address to the gathering.

Prior to the event, young people will meet at Church House, headquarters of the Anglican Church in Jamaica, and march to the National Indoor Sports Stadium for the assembly. The procession will be lead by the Kingston College drum corps.

The Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) is gearing to welcome the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, Saturday, when he will be conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws at a Special Convocation.

The special convocation will be held in the Assembly Hall at the Mona campus on Saturday, October 6, beginning at 10:00 a.m.”The joint committee on the award of the honorary degree met in March and April this year and examined the case that was presented to us,” C. William Iton, director of administration and university registrar, UWI, told The Gleaner. Iton said the joint committee looked into the various criteria for selection laid down by the Charter, Ordinance and Statutes of the University and decided to award the honorary degree to the Archbishop of York.

DISTINGUISHED RECORD
“He has a distinguished record of achievements,” said Iton, “and as his visit coincides with the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, it assumes a greater significance. “Archbishop Sentamu is sought after as an adjudicator; he served as adviser to the Stephen Lawrence Judicial Enquiry over the period 1997-1999 and in 2002 chaired the Damilola Taylor Murder Review. Between 2002 and 2004 he was chairman of the EC1 New Deal, served as president of Youth for Christ in 2004 and president of the YMCA in 2005.

“The archbishop conveyed his happiness on being awarded the honorary degree,” informed Iton.

Archbishop Sentamu is the second highest ranking Prelate in the Anglican Communion (after the Archbishop of Canterbury) and holds the title ‘Primate of England’ – the first black person to hold this position. He is also a member of the House of Lords and a Privy Councillor.

The Archbishop of York is the guest of the Anglican Diocese and will be on a visit to Jamaica from October 5 to 12 for the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

It will be the sixth time in the history of the UWI that a special convocation is held. Those honoured at special convocations are Desmond Tutu in 1986, Nelson Mandela in 1991, Colin Powell in 1994, Harry Belafonte in 1996 and Kofi Annan in 1998.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, will arrive in Jamaica this evening. Archbishop Sentamu will be visiting the island until October 12.
“There is an air of excitement ahead of his visit,” said the Rev. Denzil Barnes, member of the planning committee for the archbishop’s visit.Archbishop Sentamu, accompanied by his wife Margaret, arrives from London by an Air Jamaica flight to Kingston.

Among those who will receive the archbishop are Bishop Alfred Reid and Mrs. Reid; Michael Fennell, chairman of the Diocesan Financial Board; Lensley Wolfe, Chancellor of the Diocese; British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and Major General Rudolph Green.

A number of engagements have been lined up for the archbishop. Tomorrow, he will be conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at a special convocation. On Sunday, Archbishop Sentamu will preach at a commemorative service of the Anglican Communion at the National Arena. “Members from all over Jamaica will congregate at the National Arena,” said Rev. Barnes. “We are looking forward to listening to what he has to say.”

CALL UPON LEADERS

Archbishop Sentamu will call upon Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall, Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller. He will visit the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town and address a youth gathering at the Indoor Sports Centre on October 9.

Archbishop Sentamu will be in Mandeville on October 10; he travels to Montego Bay on October 11, where he will receive the keys to the city of Montego Bay at the St. James Parish Church.A farewell ceremony will be held at the Little Theatre in Kingston on October 11. The Archbishop departs for London the following day.