Archbishop takes a lead on Zimbabwe (From York Press)

Archbishop takes a lead on Zimbabwe

11:31am Friday 6th June 2008

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As an aetheist I am occasionally puzzled by people of faith - whatever faith - but so long as they don't impose it on other people I'm happy for them to believe whatever they like.

Furthermore, I'm greatly impressed by the art and architecture inspired by people's devotion, and we can enjoy a great deal of it here in York, in the Art Gallery, in stained glass in a number of churches, the soaring spires of York Minster... I could go on, but you know all that anyway.

Generally, I'm more troubled when religion mixes with politics. There's not a good track record really, is there?!

However, sometimes, when the politicians fail to take the lead, or seem impotent, then you have to admire someone like Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, for standing up and grasping the nettle.

If that's not mixing my metaphors... I felt the need to support Archbishop Sentamu in his call for prayer in relation to Zimbabwe, so I went to York Minster and heard him speak on the subject and lead the prayers. Sorry about the quality of my photo.

I don't hold any religious beliefs and so I couldn't join in but it was good to see that those Christian people cared and were doing what they thought they could. Hats off to Sentamu. I did, indeed, take my hat off.

I return to temporal solutions: if only the South African government and other African nations would use their influence to pressurise Robert Mugabe out of office. If democracy means anything in Africa then this has to be the way forward for the people of Zimbabwe.