Lord Sentamu cannot officiate in Newcastle after failing to apologise over safeguarding comments

Jul 28, 2023 by Jill

from Religion Media Centre:

The former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has been declined permission to officiate in the diocese of Newcastle, because he is said to have refused to apologise over his response to criticism in a safeguarding review.

A statement from the Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, says she has made this decision with extreme disappointment and sadness.

He was suspended in May after a review that he had failed to act on a non-recent disclosure of abuse by the late Trevor Devamanikkam. He had also said that “safeguarding is very important but it does not trump church law”.

Dr Hartley said she had asked Lord Sentamu to reflect on his words, and in particular the impact of them, and to offer an apology: “ I am extremely disappointed that Lord Sentamu feels unable to make an apology at this time”.

Read full statement here