The Archbishop of York pounded an African drum to celebrate the release of the BBC's Alan Johnston from captivity in Gaza today. Now Hamas wants recognition for its Palestinian authority. And many non-Westerners remain in prison.

The uncomfortable fact is that the church's Christendom ('Christian country') assumptions put it into the position of arguing the same political point about national identity as the BNP. A different way forward is needed.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is to conduct a series of public open air baptisms on Easter Day in York.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, who is the second most senior figure in the established Church of England, and who has himself been the victim of direct racist prejudice in the past, has sought to defend the institutional church against charges of discrimination.