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December 9th, 2007

The Archbishop of York cuts up his dog collar on live television

cutting dog collar

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu has cut up his dog collar on the Andrew Marr show and says he will not replace it until Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe is out of office. Here is what he said:

You know … you see as an Anglican, this is what I wear to identify myself that I’m a clergyman. Do you know what Mugabe has done? He’s taken people’s identity and literally if you don’t mind, cut it to pieces. This is what he’s actually done, to a lot of – and in the end there’s nothing. So as far as I’m concerned from now on I’m not going to wear a dog collar until Mugabe’s gone.

Links to the full interview and video below.

I for one applaud the Archbishop. May his example inspire us all to stand up to injustice in our various ways.

Links:

Update: See also a Facebook group supporting the Archbishop.

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6 Responses to “The Archbishop of York cuts up his dog collar on live television”


  1. Philip of Samaria says:

    It’s good drama…

    ..and I think Gordon did the right thing

    December 9th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
  2. Andy says:

    saw this on the news earlier – totally fantastic stuff!

    Again well done to Gordon too!

    December 9th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
  3. joe says:

    I wonder if there are regulations about clerical dress for archbishops.

    December 10th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
  4. Royston says:

    Have you seen the facebook group? would it be ok if I put the cartoon up on it?

    December 11th, 2007 at 11:15 am
  5. Russ says:

    The Archbish of York is a star. Wish all the bishops were like him.

    Mind you, I nearly only read the first line of your heading, Dave – “The Archbishop of York cuts up his dog”. Which would have been a bit less archbishoply.

    December 11th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
  6. Lloyd Whifefield Butler says:

    Dear Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend (John) Sentamu Ebor; peace be unto you and may God continue to bless you.

    In reference to the recent headlines “Sentamu cuts up dog collar over Mugabe”. I thought you would alter your collar and tell the people of Africa to not let unapologetic America and Britain break their noble spirits of joy, ingenuity, and ancient integrity. Yes, “Africa must drop the guilt card to strengthen its hand” and play the “Above suspicion card of Judgment Day” for the rape of Africa, colonialism, and the European Slave Trade of which America and Britain has never made compensatory reparations of any sort; except an oral admission of guilt, or a day in court.

    Can any African recall a day of restitution, reparation, or compensation equivalent to repairs made to devastated Europe after both World Wars; caused by their insatiability for African wealth? “Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; but when he is found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house” says Proverbs 6:30-31. As you know restitution, reparations, and restoration are the essence of justice.

    The opening ceremonial remarks at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Under Secretary of State Stuart E. Eizenstat said the following concerning compensatory apologies: “For those who, against unimaginable odds, are still alive today, our work must be guided by an urgent resolve to ensure that those who survived the tragedy of the Holocaust will not continue to suffer in poverty and fear. For those who perished, our efforts must be galvanized by an unrelenting aspiration to uncover the truth and to seek justice for both the living and the dead. Only then can we provide a last – albeit inadequate – measure of justice for those who died. As painful as it may sometimes be, we must not sweep these issues under the rug of embarrassment, silence and indifference…By undertaking a moral accounting, by completing the historical record, by providing restitution, by educating future generations, by righting the wrongs of the past and finally by seeking justice for the living and for the dead, we can walk together in the path to that “perfect day.”

    And, opening remarks by Mr. Avraham Hirchson, Member of the Knesset, stated “We are not involved in vengeance, but rather a sacred duty. Vengeance is driven by instinct. Duty is driven by the feeling of mission.”

    The Guardian, March 26, 2007, reads “Archbishop of York urges PM to apologise for slavery – Expressions of regret not enough, say leading clergy’ and that ‘Mr. Blair did not issue an apology, but expressed “deep sorrow and regret” in Ghana to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain passing an abolition law. Mr. Blair did not issue an apology, but expressed “deep sorrow and regret” for the suffering it caused…”

    Your holiness did you alter your collar for the Church of England’s responsibility in the European slave trade of African people, and or, your government’s participation? Did you alter your collar and demand former Prime Ministers John Blair and Gordon make a compensatory apology to all Africans? If not, why Mr. Robert Mugabe?

    We are reminded of Luther, the German reformer, who wrote in the sixteenth century: “He that says slavery is opposed to Christianity is a liar!” And Bossnet, the great pulpit orator of the French Catholics, joined his words with Luther’s, the following century, by declaring that “the laws of all nations sanction slavery. To condemn it is to condemn the Holy Ghost.”

    Beloved Most Reverend, when and if Zimbabwe collapse resulting in chaos, civil unrest, death and economic destruction; how will the opposition compensate in revitalizing Zimbabwe’s people and economy other than selling Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth to the highest or lowest capitalist bidders?

    Upon the societal collapse of Zimbabwe how will the opposition to the active Zimbabwe government prevent a foreign invasion imposing terms suited for their profitable benefit?

    Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. warned us: “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death…A nation that will keep people in slavery for 244 years will “thingify” them and make them things. And therefore, they will exploit them and poor people generally economically. And a nation that will exploit economically will have to have foreign investments and everything else, and it will have to use its military might to protect them.”

    Africans must command economic justice from Europe and America for the past initially and as a prerequisite.

    The European Union and AFRICOM, are the modern plenipotentiaries, and according to Wikipedia: “The Berlin Conference (German: Kongokonferenz or “Congo Conference”) of 1884–85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period, and coincided with Germany’s sudden emergence as an imperial power. Called for by Portugal and organized by Bismarck, the first Chancellor of Germany, its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, is often seen as the formalization of the Scramble for Africa.”

    Beloved Archbishop of York, as your know, in 1702 Queen Anne instructed the Governor of New York “to give due encouragement to the Royal African Company of England.”

    American Abolitionist Rev. John Wesley stated that “The assumed legal relation of master and slave was a cunning fabrication.” And I say the assumed legal relation of former colonizer and former colonized is too a cunning fabrication.

    May the Ancestors bless the Archbishop of York and President Mugabe with wisdom, unity, and faith. The people of Zimbabwe have spoken: they have a preference for their Elder Statesman President Mugabe. We Africans should work and quarrel together as a family, respecting our Elders even in criticism. We all should avoid the ad hominem ad nauseum’. Reconciliation is a proven ancient African tradition of jurisprudence.

    Lloyd Whitefield Butler, Jr.
    Descendant of African Slaves in America
    295 Clinton Avenue – Suite F9
    Brooklyn, New York 11205

    December 14th, 2007 at 7:03 am