Archbishop of York Plans to Open Home to Young People

|TOP|The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is planning to eventually move his family into Bishopthorpe’s Palace while also looking at the possibility of opening up the residence to young people.

The plans were lodged in York Council during his weeklong vigil for peace and are now awaiting approval.

The 13th century building is currently in a state of disrepair after 30 years of neglect.

Dr Sentamu’s further ideas of opening the palace up to homeless people were rejected by the Church Commissioners. Arun Arora, the Archbishop’s Communications Officer, said: “The plans are at an early stage, but it is something which the Archbishop is strongly considering. He wants the Church of England to be accessible to as many people as possible.”

While Dr Sentamu was Archbishop of Birmingham he regularly opened his home to the youth in an event termed ‘Bish Bash’, and there is speculation he intends to do the same with Bishopthorpe.

|AD|Dr Sentamu once turned up to a Bradford Diocese youth conference wearing a ‘hoodie.’

“Young people need to be actively included in the church” said Arun Arora speaking for the Archbishop, “the youth are not just the generation of tomorrow but also of today.”

The work, which will take two years to complete, is necessary to make the building DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant and more operational for the diocese’s purposes.

Last month, Dr Sentamu shaved his head and spent seven days fasting and camping inside his cathedral to show solidarity with people caught up in the conflict in the Middle East where a fragile ceasefire came into effect during his vigil.
related articles
Archbishop to Hold Vigil for Middle East, Hits Out at Bush

Archbishop to Hold Vigil for Middle East, Hits Out at Bush

Archbishop Gives Public Witness for Peace in York Minster Tent

Archbishop Gives Public Witness for Peace in York Minster Tent

Hereford Cathedral Matches Archbishop of York’s Prayers for Lebanon

Hereford Cathedral Matches Archbishop of York’s Prayers for Lebanon

Archbishop Concludes Peace Vigil; Calls for Sustainable Middle East Peace

Archbishop Concludes Peace Vigil; Calls for Sustainable Middle East Peace

Archbishop: 'Lebanon Conflict Greatest Recruiting Tool for Muslim Extremists'

Archbishop: 'Lebanon Conflict Greatest Recruiting Tool for Muslim Extremists'

News
Texas holds day of prayer in wake of devastating flash floods
Texas holds day of prayer in wake of devastating flash floods

A day of prayer was observed across Texas on Sunday as the state continues to respond to devastating flash floods that have killed dozens, including a number of children who were attending a Christian summer camp. 

Is a 'quiet revival' really taking place? Shock new study findings suggest Christianity may be in retreat
Is a 'quiet revival' really taking place? Shock new study findings suggest Christianity may be in retreat

The challenge before the Christian Church is both stark and clear: to understand and engage a new generation if it is to have a future. 

What was the Welsh Revival and why should you know about it?
What was the Welsh Revival and why should you know about it?

The Welsh Revival of 1904 was anything but quiet, leading to the worldwide Pentecostal and charismatic movements. This is the story …

Church bombing in Syria is 'not sectarian conflict but persecution'
Church bombing in Syria is 'not sectarian conflict but persecution'

A deadly suicide bombing at a Damascus church on Sunday June 22 has reignited urgent calls for global recognition of the ongoing persecution of Syria’s religious minorities.