THE new Archbishop of York formally took up his post last night after a centuries-old ceremony.

Dr John Sentamu, who is Britain's first black Archbishop, was confirmed in the role at St Mary-le-Bow Church, in Cheapside, London.

The ancient process was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and six senior bishops.

The event, called the Confirmation of the Election, marks the start of Dr Sentamu's reign as Archbishop of York and came after his election by York Minster's college of canons in July.

But Ugandan-born Dr Sentamu will not begin his public ministry in the post - the second highest in the Church of England - until he is enthroned in York Minster on November 30.

Speaking after last night's ceremony, Dr Sentamu said: "We are living at a time of great opportunity and challenge for the Church of England, and I am looking forward to working with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops, laity and clergy to take forward the mission of the Church to our nation.

"The Christian gospel has the power to transform people's lives, and to transform our nation.

"We in the Church need to play our part in communicating that gospel in both words and actions, and to speak out and work for justice. Together, we can help people of all kinds to respond to God's invitation in Jesus Christ."

Dr Sentamu fled Uganda for England in 1974 after becoming an outspoken critic of Idi Amin's regime. He trained as a priest in Cambridge. After serving in a succession of London parishes, he was appointed Bishop of Stepney in 1996 and Bishop of Birmingham in 2002.

He was advisor to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry from 1997 to 1999 and chaired the Damilola Taylor review in 2002.

He has spoken out against racism and has become a prominent campaigner on gun crime.

He succeeds Dr David Hope, now Lord Hope of Thornes, who resigned as Archbishop of York in February to take up a post as a parish priest in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.