THE Archbishop of York has announced his retirement to bring to an end 15 years of service.

Dr John Sentamu will retire from his post on June 7, 2020 – three days prior to his 71st birthday.

The Archbishop, who was installed as the 97th Archbishop of York in November 2005, has said he hopes the Church of England can use the two years before his departure to find a suitable successor.

He said: “I have decided to announce my retirement now in order to provide the Church of England with the widest possible timeframe to pray, discern with wisdom and insight and put in place a timetable for my successor and to consider fully the work they will be called to do in service to the national church, the Northern Province and the Diocese of York.

“I am deeply grateful to Her Majesty The Queen for graciously allowing me to continue as Archbishop of York until June 2020 in order to enable me to complete the work to which I have been called.

“I am full of joy and expectation to see all that God is doing and will be doing in this diocese and in the Northern Province over the coming months.”

Dr Sentamu has promised his ongoing commitment to the region and the Diocese of York with the upcoming launch of the Diocesan evangelism and discipleship programme, Reach, Grow, Sustain.

The Archbishop will also to continue leading the bishops’ missions in the Northern Province of the Church of England in in York.

He will also continue with his involvement with the One Yorkshire deal, which is working towards a devolution agreement for Yorkshire.

Dr Sentamu came to the region having grown up in rural Uganda, born in 1949 to the Buffalo clan.

He is the sixth of 13 children and was encouraged in his education by English missionaries and teachers, he became a barrister and later, a high court judge.

He spent the first four years of his ministry in Cambridge and Richmond, fourteen years in inner city parishes in South London, six years as Bishop for Stepney and three years as Bishop for Birmingham.

From 1997 to 1999, Dr Sentamu was adviser to the Stephen Lawrence Judicial Inquiry and he chaired the Damilola Taylor Murder Review in 2002.

Three years later, he became Britain’s first black archbishop and was at York Minster to the rhythm of African drummers and traditional dancing.

The former judge travelled into York from his current residence, Bishopthorpe Palace, by boat along the River Ouse, accompanied by a team of drummers. He then walked through the streets to the Minster to begin the service.

The ceremony in the historic cathedral was watched by more than 3,000 guests, including then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.