I HAVE read your recent and previous articles concerning the Archbishop of York. I have a simple question. Is it necessary to make continuous reference to his being the "first black archbishop"?

The fact is patently apparent, and yet you do not give the same emphasis to the fact that he is the 97th archbishop.

You may take some comfort from the fact that you are not alone in this. The media generally seems fixated with his colour. Perhaps less attention to this fact would do great service to race relations generally.

P J Bowman,

Hudson Close,

Stamford Bridge, York.

Updated: 08:50 Wednesday, December 21, 2005