I THINK it rather unkind of Tricia Castle to scold Yorkies for not rushing to support Dr Sentamu (Letters, October 28).

What with wheelie bins, parking charges and bridal motorcades, we've got problems of our own.

Besides, most residents are not of De Sentamu's persuasion. Certainly, if we had insisted that "he was the best man for the job" before he was appointed, it might have done him some good. Now, belatedly, it would just sound a bit smarmy.

Then again, if the old Church of England is "institutionally racist" (whatever that means), Dr Sentamu must be capable of fighting his own corner pretty well to have come away with the Church's plum prize. It might be argued that we are more in need of his support than he of ours.

Yorkies can't be rushed into things. Dr Sentamu has hardly had time to try on his mitre, and the throne is still warm from the presence of the remarkable David Hope. Shouldn't we wait to see how the new incumbent shapes up? After all, if we support him merely because of the colour of his skin, wouldn't we be falling into the very error Tricia is so hot to denounce?

William Dixon-Smith,

Welland Rise,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:46 Tuesday, November 01, 2005