|TOP|With the enthronement of the new Archbishop of York yesterday, the Evangelical Alliance General Director has released a statement welcoming Dr Sentamu into his position as the second highest post in the Church of England.

Rev Joel Edwards expressed his delight at the perfect mix of “classic English Anglicanism, spliced with African informalities”.

Dr Sentamu was taken by boat from his official residence at Bishopthorpe Palace along the River Ouse to the rhythm of a five-strong team of drummers.

The African theme continued in the Minster, with 20 dancers performing a Bwola dance of “rejoicing and thanksgiving” before a mesmerised congregation of more than 3,000.

The dancers were dressed with colourful red, white and black feathered head plumages and leopard skin print skirts and T-shirts.

|QUOTE|The 56-year-old Dr Sentamu even joined in the drumming at one point during the proceedings.

The lively ceremony was attended by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who anointed and then embraced Dr Sentamu.

In his sermon, Dr Sentamu made reference to Archbishop Michael Ramsey who spoke of his longing back in 1960 for the day in England when the Church would learn the faith afresh from Christians of Africa and Asia and when a black Archbishop of York would hold mission here.

|AD|Dr Sentamu said: “Well here I am, and you have already acknowledged that fact!”

The new Archbishop of York also called on Christians to reconsider “Who is Jesus and what does he mean for those who put their trust in him?” and to return to Jesus’ basic plan for the world, ‘corporate discipleship’ and ‘fraternal belonging’.

The Evangelical Alliance General Director stated, “It was an historic inauguration. A combination of classic English Anglicanism, spliced with African informalities. A very broad cross section of people had come to witness the installation of a very unique servant of God. The theme of servant-hood was sustained by the presence of children at critical points in the service praying for the new Archbishop and reading scripture.

“The sermon was plain spoken and was a very powerful challenge to the Church of England to rediscover Christ as the central driving force and hope for the nation. This is a clarion call for a renewed confidence in the unique ministry of Christ which I wholeheartedly endorse.”

In a call to the Church, Dr Sentamu said the Church of England must once again be a beacon by which the people of England can orient themselves by offering the Good News of God in Christ in a practical and relevant way to their daily lives.