Sentamu appointed as next Christian Aid chair

Lynne McNeil reports on the appointment of the next Chair of the charity Christian Aid.

THE former Archbishop of York, the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu is to become the next chair of Christian Aid, the charity has announced.

Announcing the appointment in July, Christian Aid’s CEO Amanda Khozi Mukwashi said: “This is wonderful news for Christian Aid. Dr Sentamu brings with him a passion and energy for global justice, a deep love of the Church and a profound theological understanding that will be able to speak into the crises of climate change, Covid, conflict and debt that are affecting the world’s poorest communities. We look forward to welcoming him to the Christian Aid family.”

Welcoming the announcement, the Head of Christian Aid Scotland Sally Foster-Fulton said: “I’m totally thrilled with this appointment. I think Dr Sentamu will bring fire and also good humour to the role. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him briefly once before in Edinburgh, at an ecumenical event. And of course he’s already a neighbour, living just across the border in Northumberland. To echo Amanda’s words, I look forward to welcoming him to the Christian Aid family later in the year.”

Dr Sentamu said it was a ‘great surprise and delight’ to be invited to be a trustee and to chair the Board of Christian Aid, adding: “My first involvement with Christian Aid was in 1980, during Christian Aid Week, when, as an Assistant Curate at St Andrew, Ham Common, and Prison Chaplain at Latchmere House Remand Centre, I knocked on doors and left Christian Aid envelopes. The staggering response from the long street where I lived, as well as the prison officers, convinced me that the appeal for ‘Life Before Death’ spoke to the generous hearts of my neighbours.

Dr John Sentamu

To chair the Christian Aid Board, which is deeply committed to eradicating injustice, disadvantage, increasing mutual accountability and its prophetic voice in addressing issues of poverty and power, is a great honour and challenge for me.

“In 2004 I visited Herat Province, in Western Afghanistan, to see and encourage Christian Aid workers there. They blew my mind and I rejoiced greatly to discover that they had favour with all the people; and that Christian Aid workers had remained there for well over 25 years!

“To chair the Christian Aid Board, which is deeply committed to eradicating injustice, disadvantage, increasing mutual accountability and its prophetic voice in addressing issues of poverty and power, is a great honour and challenge for me. Please pray for me.”

Welcoming the appointment, the outgoing Chair (who will stand down at the charity’s AGM in November after serving two terms) the former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said: “It has been a profound privilege to serve as Chair of this wonderful organisation for the past eight years. Through that time, we have appointed an excellent new CEO, launched a new global strategy and weathered the storms of a global pandemic, while continuing to stand together with the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities.

“Christian Aid’s work is far from being done, and the next few years will mean we must stand even more firmly for the dignity, equality and justice of all, needing the support of the Church and the British public more than ever, in light of cuts to aid and increasing national self-interest.

“I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Dr Sentamu at this pivotal time in the organisation’s history and convinced there are few people who will be able to lead and speak out with the moral voice that is needed for such a time as this. I will continue to support both him and the organisation in the ongoing fight to end global poverty.” ¤