Police probe racist comments sent to Archbishop of York (From The Northern Echo)
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Police probe racist comments sent to Archbishop of York
3:16pm Monday 6th February 2012 in York & Harrogate News
The Archbishop of York
NORTH Yorkshire Police are investigating racist emails sent to the Archbishop of York following controversial comments he made about same-sex marriage.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed detectives have launched an investigation about the emails sent to Dr John Sentamu and are treating them as potential hate crimes.
A spokesman said: "We can confirm that a complaint has been received from the office of Archbishop John Sentamu, following the receipt of emails containing racially offensive statements.
"The emails are being investigated as a hate crime."
Last month Dr Sentamu said ministers should not overrule the Bible by allowing same-sex marriage.
He said Prime Minister David Cameron would be "like a dictator" if he permitted homosexual couples to get married.
Dr Sentamu, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, said marriage must remain a union between a man and a woman.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the Archbishop said marriage was set in history and the state could not change it overnight.
Last week, around 70 protesters held placards and chanted songs outside York Minster as activists made speeches denouncing Dr Sentamus words.
A spokeswoman for Dr Sentamu said: "A large quantity of correspondence was received in response to the archbishop's interview with the Daily Telegraph, which touched on a wide range of issues.
"Amongst many positive emails that he has received, there have been a small number of abusive and threatening emails of a racist nature which North Yorkshire Police are investigating as hate crimes."
Comments(5)
kristal27
says...
7:40pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Stu2308
says...
7:48pm Mon 6 Feb 12
the-big-yin
says...
1:02pm Tue 7 Feb 12
Dean M
says...
1:38pm Tue 7 Feb 12
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Although I suspect Sentamu expressed his bigotry in a more intelligent way than the author of the insults he received, so he'll get away with it. Helped by him being a black member of the establishment, of course.
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He wouldn't get away with it if he was the white captain of the England football team though. Even though JT strenuously denies the charge, he's still punished BEFORE trial, and it falls to the Italian manager to complain about so-called 'British fair play' being....unfair.
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We know Fabio, we know. I hope you resign, followed by Terry, Lampard and others, and then England are f***ed in Euro 12. You can't pick the team anyway, unless the FA agrees.
Stu2308 says...
6:12pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Nothing can justify the use of hate language or demonising people due to how they are born - be that race, sex, nationality or sexual orientation.
I do feel that the Archbishops own words where he demonised gay people and sought to stigmatise and discriminate against people due to how they were born is equally wrong and equally a crime. The hurt caused to very many people by the Archbishops cruel and vindictive comments is reprehensible.
It is good to see some in the church such as the Bishop of Salisbury are much more humane and understanding and seek not to be cruel or vindictive and demonstrate a real understanding of loving ones neighbour.
Its time for the Archbishop to apologise with humility and admit he was wrong and the harm he has caused.