ONE OF the Anglican Communion's most distinguished leaders will visit the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in October. He is the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, Primate of England.

His visit, which comes as a result of an invitation from the Diocese, coincides with Jamaica's commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

This was announced last week by the Lord Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Alfred Reid, in delivering the second part of his Charge at the business session of the 137th annual Synod assembled at the Starfish Trelawny Hotel.

Archbishop Sentamu, at age 58, is one of the youngest to hold the prestigious office of Archbishop of York, which is next in hierarchical importance to the Archbishop of Canterbury, titular leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Archbishop Sentamu is celebrated for his fearless adherence to the ideals of justice and freedom. He began his career as a lawyer in his native Uganda, rising to the level of a High Court judge at the age of 24.

When life became difficult under the regime of Idi Amin, he moved to England where he began studying all over again, this time for the priesthood. He rose swiftly through the ranks of the Church, from parish priest to bishop, becoming Archbishop of York in 2005. He is hailed worldwide for his outstanding stewardship and fearless proclamation of the Gospel.