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

• anglicannews.org
• talamua.com
• Image: talamua.co.

The move comes five weeks after the Church of England's General Synod apologised for its failure to listen to abuse victims, and a month after Sentamu launched an independent inquiry into the church's handling of reports of alleged child abuse by the late Robert Waddington, a former dean of Manchester.

Announcing the review, Sentamu acknowledged the "immense damage" done to children who are sexually abused and said the passage of time did not automatically bring healing.

He said: "Where young people are shown to have been betrayed by individuals in a position of trust and by the institution's failure to protect them, it is for the church to acknowledge the hurt which has been done, to offer a full apology, and to prove, so far as is possible, that policies and practices are improved such that the same systemic failure could never be repeated."

Although the church conducted a national review of past cases of child abuse four years ago, it did not extend to the files of deceased clergy. The C of E says it has now recognised the importance of such files to the church and the agencies that may receive reports of abuse by clergy who have since died.

Sources

The Guardian

Christian Today

Daily Mail

Image: Rex/The Guardian

Dr John Sentamu has repeatedly refused to confirm whether or not he would be throwing his hat into the ring to lead the Church of England when Dr Williams steps down later this year.

But last night it emerged that he had stepped down from the body responsible for the appointment - meaning that he can formally be considered.

It follows mounting speculation that the 62-year old archbishop would not stand as a candidate due to his age and recent bouts of poor health. Continue reading