Archbishop Gives Public Witness for Peace in York Minster Tent

The second-most senior member of the Church of England, the Archbishop of York, has moved into a tent inside York Minster to reveal an act of “public witness” in which he is calling for peace in the Middle East.

Dr John Sentamu will fast, only being able to drink water, while he camps in the Minster over the next seven days. He hopes the fast will help to highlight the horrid situation faced by those caught up in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Dr Sentamu announced last week that he was giving up his holiday in Salzburg, Austria, to take part in the act, during which time he will pray in the tent for peace.

Sunday at York Minster saw the week-long vigil commence with the Archbishop publicly shaving his head. Cathedral cleric Canon Glynn Webster was the one entrusted with the archbishop's haircut, carried out on the altar.