Black archbishop says Tutu shows us what respect means
-14/01/06
The Archbishop of Yor
Black archbishop says Tutu shows us what respect means
-14/01/06
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has cited Desmond Tutu and the struggle against racial division as exemplars for the kind of ërespectí which can genuinely rebuild community.
Dr Sentamu, the Church of Englandís first black archbishop, was responding to the new government campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour and promote a positive culture to replace it.
Tony Blairís ërespectí initiative has received a mixed response, with some saying that it is a gimmick, and others pointing out that it ignores justice issues underlying many of the social problems it seeks to address.
In an interview with the BBC, Dr Sentamu said that Archbishop Tutu was profoundly influenced by the respect shown to his mother by the late anti-apartheid campaigner, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston ñ a white man defying a racist society.
He explained: “It was unheard of and certainly rare in the South Africa of those days for a white man to show such respect to a black woman. It showed that he really did believe that those created in the image of God, of whatever colour, were indeed creatures of infinite worth, precious to God.î
The Archbishop of York, who has played a key role in investigating high profile racist murders such as that of youngster Stephen Lawrence, went on: ìIf we expect young people to be respectful, we should show respect. If they are not treated lovingly and forgivingly, they will be unforgiving.î
Dr Sentamu pointed out that ìthe word ërespectí literally means ëto look backí. We need to look back with humility and attentiveness in order to assess adequately the present – and have a realistic hope for the future.î
He concluded: ìJesus treated each person as a unique, God-made, individual. That is how he regards us and that is how we must regard one another.î
The archbishop has been on the receiving end of racist hate mail since his appointment was announced. He says that he has forgiven his tormentors, but remains resolute in opposing the prejudice they enact.
[Also on Ekklesia: New black archbishop Sentamu receives racist hate mail; Church must face racism, says black archbishop; C of E’s first black archbishop takes up post; Britain’s first black archbishop inaugurated; Black archbishop prays for racist abusers; Tutu calls on Anglicans to accept gay bishop; Tutu and Havel endorse UN action on Burma; Churches back international peace day; Tutu says more apartheid crimes should have gone to court; Tutu says its time for another African pope; Tutu vilified by Mugabe henchmen for pro-justice stance; Archbishop Tutu TV show to say Christianity is still a ëbig idea’ ]
Black archbishop says Tutu shows us what respect means
-14/01/06
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has cited Desmond Tutu and the struggle against racial division as exemplars for the kind of ërespect’ which can genuinely rebuild community.
Dr Sentamu, the Church of England’s first black archbishop, was responding to the new government campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour and promote a positive culture to replace it.
Tony Blair’s ërespect’ initiative has received a mixed response, with some saying that it is a gimmick, and others pointing out that it ignores justice issues underlying many of the social problems it seeks to address.
In an interview with the BBC, Dr Sentamu said that Archbishop Tutu was profoundly influenced by the respect shown to his mother by the late anti-apartheid campaigner, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston – a white man defying a racist society.
He explained: “It was unheard of and certainly rare in the South Africa of those days for a white man to show such respect to a black woman. It showed that he really did believe that those created in the image of God, of whatever colour, were indeed creatures of infinite worth, precious to God.’
The Archbishop of York, who has played a key role in investigating high profile racist murders such as that of youngster Stephen Lawrence, went on: ‘If we expect young people to be respectful, we should show respect. If they are not treated lovingly and forgivingly, they will be unforgiving.’
Dr Sentamu pointed out that ‘the word ërespect’ literally means ëto look back’. We need to look back with humility and attentiveness in order to assess adequately the present – and have a realistic hope for the future.’
He concluded: ‘Jesus treated each person as a unique, God-made, individual. That is how he regards us and that is how we must regard one another.’
The archbishop has been on the receiving end of racist hate mail since his appointment was announced. He says that he has forgiven his tormentors, but remains resolute in opposing the prejudice they enact.
[Also on Ekklesia: New black archbishop Sentamu receives racist hate mail; Church must face racism, says black archbishop; C of E’s first black archbishop takes up post; Britain’s first black archbishop inaugurated; Black archbishop prays for racist abusers; Tutu calls on Anglicans to accept gay bishop; Tutu and Havel endorse UN action on Burma; Churches back international peace day; Tutu says more apartheid crimes should have gone to court; Tutu says its time for another African pope; Tutu vilified by Mugabe henchmen for pro-justice stance; Archbishop Tutu TV show to say Christianity is still a ëbig idea’ ]