THE Archbishop of York has confirmed he is receiving treatment for an advanced form of prostate cancer.
Dr John Sentamu, 63, said he had undergone surgery at St James’Hospital in Leeds.
The second most senior cleric in the Church of England said he would be “out of action” for some time.
Dr Sentamu, who became the 97th Archbishop of York in 2005, thanked his surgeon and hospital staff for their care.
He said: “I am thankful and grateful for Mr Bill Cross, and his surgical team at St James’ Hospital Leeds, who today operated on me for a locally advanced cancer of the prostate. I am also grateful to the nursing staff who are caring from me. I am thankful, too, for all of you who regularly pray for me and support me, especially my staff at Bishopthorpe Palace”.
Dr Sentamu fled to the UK from Uganda in 1974 after speaking out against Idi Amin. He was ordained five years later and became Bishop of Stepney in 1996. Six years later he was appointed Bishop of Birmingham before becoming Archbishop of York in 2005.
