Archbishop of York Roscoe Lecture

11 June 2008

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu defended the right to believe and practise faith during his Roscoe Lecture on Monday 9 June 2008, stating that "whenever we can agree to cooperate with each other for the common good - I want to be there".

Speaking to a capacity audience in St Georges' Hall, the Archbishop's address, entitled 'Liverpool: Where Religious Faith is Part of the Solution, Not the Problem', focused on liberation, healing, empowerment and the spirit for the agenda of change for the common good.

The Archbishop criticised the term 'faith schools' and described the joint Anglican/Roman Catholic academies as examples of a grounded Christian faith at the heart of a diverse civic life.

The Archbishop said: "Here in Liverpool, you have been amassing strong evidence for the effectiveness of the engagement of the Churches with urban regeneration and civil society. You have been demonstrating over the years, from the days of Roscoe and continuing in so many ways today, that people of faith have a particular propensity to devote themselves to the common good, and that they have the ability, because of their faith, to 'move mountains' and make a difference, especially for the poor."

Prior to the start of the lecture, Norenna Daley and Daniel Ritson, both pupils at the William Gladstone Church of England Primary School, were presented with their LJMU Good Citizenship Awards. The pupils were commended by their Headteacher, Mrs Rothwell for being outstanding individuals and a credit to their school.

To listen to a podcast of the lecture, please click here: www.ljmu.ac.uk/citizen/85190.htm

Caption: LJMU Good Citizenship Award winners Norenna Daley and Daniel Ritson pictured with the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.