In his Easter messages, Dr John Sentamu, the Anglican Archbishop of York, has said that acts of generosity, courage and life-giving are needed to turn society away from its self-preoccupation and consumerism.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is to conduct a series of public open air baptisms on Easter Day in York.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, who is the second most senior figure in the established Church of England, and who has himself been the victim of direct racist prejudice in the past, has sought to defend the institutional church against charges of discrimination.

The row over Catholic Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor's letter to the Prime Minister and Cabinet ‚Ä' which says that his church's adoption agencies will close if an exemption from equalities rules about lesbian and gay adoptees is not granted ‚Ä' showed no sign of dissipating today.