The Anglican Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is to visit Samoa, Tonga and Fiji to lead a series of leadership reflections on climate change.
He has been invited to come by the Most Revd Dr Winston Halapua, the Anglican Archbishop of Polynesia.
He will be in the Pacific from 27 July to 14 August.
Sentamu is a vocal critic of the stark global inequalities in society and their causes.
He has consistently spoken out on the low priority given by those in power to alleviating the plight of the very poorest and desperate of humanity.
“Climate change affects everyone: agriculture, tourism, fisheries, water, health and wellbeing,” said Sentamu.
“The skills and capabilities of local populations, national governmental authorities and regional organisations must act to ameliorate the effects of climate change.”
“I am delighted to join Archbishop Winston Halapua for this Diocesan visit.”
In addition to the Leadership Reflections with clergy, lay and ecumenical leaders, Archbishop Sentamu will also address young people on Pangaimotu Island in Tonga as part of the ‘Moana’ Oceanic Eucharist.
In Fiji he is to attend ‘Lotu’ youth mission events at Suva and Ovalau.
The Archbishop will visit the Pacific Theological College and the Pacific Regional Seminary, a Diocesan College.
In Samoa, Sentamu will bless a new school building in the presence of Samoa’s Prime Minster, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi.
Dr Sentamu will also visit Poutasi Village, extensively damaged by a tsunami in 2009, and he is to preach at two Ordination services in Samoa and Tonga.
Source