The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Reverend John Sentamu, is to become the new Archbishop of York.

Bishop Sentamu succeeds the Most Reverend David Hope, who resigned in February to take up a post as a parish priest in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

The new Archbishop, John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu, 56, was educated in Uganda, where he practised as a barrister, before coming to the UK in 1974.

He has served as Bishop of Birmingham since 2002.

Downing Street said it believed Bishop Sentamu's appointment meant he would become Britain's first black Archbishop.

He was born in Uganda one of 13 children and became an outspoken critic of Idi Amin's regime, which eventually led to his arrest and departure for this country in 1974.

In a statement, Bishop Sentamu said his appointment to the Church of England's second-most senior role was an "exciting prospect".

He added: "I am excited about my future role and I am looking forward to working with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops to lead the Church of England in its mission to the nation."

The Bishop of Birmingham's Roman Catholic counterpart today offered his congratulations.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, said: "I am delighted to learn the news that Bishop John Sentamu is to be the next Archbishop of York.

"He has bought vigour and enthusiasm and imagination to his ministry in Birmingham.

"I am sure that he will do the same in his new responsibilities."

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