With Ugandan born Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu set to be in the front running for the new Archbishop of Canterbury post, it has been revealed that white church elders have made racist comments in reference to Asian and Black colleagues such as referring to one Asian Reverend as a “Paki Papist”, and to Dr Sentamu as a “tribal…African chief.”
Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York is the only black bishop in the church of England. He has been very outspoken about racism throughout his career, accusing the church of England as being institutionally racist back in 1999. (Read Church of England accused of racism: BBC: Tuesday, July 13, 1999)
Dr Sentamu is one of the favourites to become the new Archbishop of Canterbury, however his former aide, Rev Arun Arora, told the Daily Telegraph that there is a covert campaign to undermine Dr Sentamu’s chances of becoming the first black Archbishop of Canterbury. (Read Archbishop of York victim of ‘naked racism’, claims ally: By Richard Eden, and Edward Malnick:21 April, 2012)
Rev Arora said that Dr Sentamu has been subjected to “naked racism”, saying “At worst, it has elicited the naked racism which still bubbles under the surface in our society, and which is exposed when a black man is in line to break the chains of history.”
The Daily Telegraph spoke of an unidentified cleric in 2002, who referred to Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, then Bishop of Rochester, as a “Paki Papist”, and the racist comments from white church elders towards Asian and Black colleagues does not end there either.
Two bishops spoke to the Sunday Telegraph anonymously and their views were shocking.
One said:
“I think Sentamu is clearly going to be a very strong front-runner, although I think there are also the people who are not quite sure that he is suitable in terms of the way he behaves, because he is quite tribal and the African chief thing comes through.
“My preferred candidate would be [the Bishop of] Norwich, who is very level-headed, sensible and would actually do the job well and has a lot more kind of stability. You wouldn’t know where you were with Sentamu, whereas you would with Norwich.”
The second bishop who was retired said, “There is something in Sentamu which retains his African views and approach, which can be at one time an asset and another time can be a problem.” Here he was referring to Dr Sentamu’s opposition to same sex marriages. Going by the bishop’s view then the Catholic church as well as many other Christian denominations who are against same sex marriages must also ‘retain his African views’.
Dr Sentamu denies racism
In a quite surprising and remarkable u-turn Dr Sentamu denied that he has ever gone through racism from church members but insisted that the racism he experienced was from outside the church. (Read Archbishop says he has never experienced racism: Northern Echo By Emily Flanagan: Monday, 23 April, 2012)
When Dr Sentamu accused the church of institutional racism back in 1999, who then was he referring to? Dr Sentamu actually said, that the church in general “maintained a white educated elite at its core which did not reflect the make-up of the congregation.” Did he forget this statement? The conclusion can be drawn that Dr Sentamu has backed down from his racial stance to win favour and support for the Archbishop of Canterbury position.
The church in the UK has along history of racism towards black and minority ethnic believers. When I wrote this article Black pastor to take on BNP leader in live debate, I mentioned Reverend Rajinder Daniel, one of the first priests from an ethnic minority to be ordained in the Church of England, who condemned racism in church. In a radio interview with BBC’s Radio Leicester, Sandra Herbert, Rev Daniel said “The church is racist to the core and continues to be today. I have been turned down by at least three parishes because they wanted a white priest…I have been turned down for funerals, weddings and baptisms.” (Read Retiring priest hits out at ‘racist’ church: BBC: 29 August, 2001)
In the same article I spoke about how the British National Party (BNP) felt bold enough to target white Christians with digital posters and billboards on London’s Oxford Street and sites across the country, including major motorways ahead of the Easter holidays back in 2010, including the M1, M25, M11 and A127.(To see a picture of the BNP billboard read BNP plan black church ban in white areas)
The BNP obviously knows something that Dr Sentamu no longer wants to admit publicly, that the church in the UK and many white Christians are racist.
Dr Sentamu has let down the legacy of his ancestors, he has let down black and minority ethnic communities, as well as the believers in these communities who expect to be represented properly.
By going back on his own statements he has proven untrustworthy when it comes to race issues.
For further research:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9663679.Archbishop_says_he_has_never_experienced_racism/r/?ref=rss
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/393907.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/features/faith/features/2001_08/racism.shtml
Lovely article as always. This needs to be posted on face book especially the multicultural pages.
Anyway… Lord John Taylor, the Conservative MP for Cheltenham during the heights of English racism towards anyone non-white; also denied experiencing racism. Hence which might explain why he became a member of the House of Lords. However, during the MPs scandal (Stealing money from the public purse) Lord Taylor, was quick off the bench to using the race card. The black community was not behind him as they all remembered this was a man who benefited from being in deep denial.
It also came out that he experienced racism from white Judges and barristers within the legal profession; so horrible that it could challenge the skin-heads EDL or BNP. He is now in prison; the white system that he protected betrayed him.
This Dr John Sentamu, will share the same sentiments as John Taylor if he continues to play the game… IN the end it will catch up with him
ps
I sent a message some time ago warning of a big change; a revolution; the fiery spirit which will stir the corrupt governments in the Western world; it will happen Sir; just running slightly behind that is all Summer 2012 no later!! The world will not forget the coming of the father!