A CLERGYMAN born in Uganda who fled Africa to escape from brutal dictator Idi Amin has been named as the next Archbishop of York.

Dr John Sentamu, 56, was appointed last week to succeed Dr David Hope - now Lord Hope and a parish priest in Yorkshire.

The archbishop-designate is also a Manchester United football fan.

He said: "It is imperative that the Church regains her vision and confidence in mission, developing ways that will enable the Church of England to reconnect imaginatively with England.

"It is important that the Church of England's voice is heard locally, nationally and internationally, standing up for justice, bringing good news to the poor, healing to the broken-hearted, setting at liberty those who are oppressed, and proclaiming the death of Christ and his resurrection until he comes again."

After graduating in law from Makerere University, Kampala, he was an advocate in the High Court of Uganda. He practised before fleeing to England in 1974. He then read theology at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He undertook ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, in 1979 and became assistant chaplain at Selwyn College.

From 1979-82 he worked as a chaplain at Lachmere House remand centre and was curate of St Andrew's in the diocese of Southwark.

He became a vicar and then was named priest in charge of St Saviour, Brixton Hill, and then in 1996 was made Bishop of Stepney.

Dr Sentamu was named Bishop of Birmingham in 2002 and was an advisor on the inquiry and chaired the Damilola Taylor review.

He has long campaigned against gun crime.

Dr Sentamu was welcomed to York by high ranking members of the Church.

Lord Hope said: "Dr Sentamu is taking on a huge responsibility at a crucial time for the Church and I am confident that he is God's choice for this important post."

* Reports of a fall in clergy numbers in the Diocese of York have been strongly refuted.

Several reports claimed a cash crisis in the Church meant a cull in the number of clergy nationally.

But officials say clergy levels have remained stable for some years and are expected to stay like that.

The Bishop of Hull, the Rt Rev Richard Frith, is senior suffragan bishop in the York diocese.

He said: "The reports are completely misleading about the Church of England as a whole, and the picture in our region.

"The real challenge to the Church isn't about money - it's how to translate our values and priorities into service and leadership for the world about us."

The reports stem from the Resourcing Mission Group document to be discussed by the Church of England's General Synod.

The York diocese stretches from the River Tees to the River Humber and includes more than 600 churches. It has had 270 full-time clergy posts since 2001.