New bishop walks with the people

The city's St Philip's Cathdedral was packed for the enthronement of the Right Reverend Doctor John Sentamu.

The ceremony was attended by more than 300 members of the clergy from Britain, Malawi, and Uganda where Dr Sentamu was born.

He was greeted with music at the Metro at Snow Hill.

Bishop Sentamu who wants to be called the Bishop FOR, not OF Birmingham, said: "I simply take it from St Augustine who said I am a Christian with you and a Bishop for you.

Eighth bishop

"We've got hope, we've got faith, so I Hope I will be a bishop who looks for celebration."

In a break with tradition Dr Sentamu did not process with the bishops but walked with the people to St Philips.

One spectator said:"We have a lord mayor who is of ethnic origin, now we have a black bishop, so yes it's good for the diversity of Birmingham."

Another said: "I like to see him among the people, not parading with the other bishops..that's very good. It's a first, it's history, isn't it?"

Dr Sentamu, 52, is also chairing the Damilola Taylor inquiry.

He's the eighth bishop since Birmingham became a diocese in 1905.

Before arriving in Britain he trained as a barrister before becoming a judge in his native Uganda.

He moved to Birmingham from London where he was the Bishop of Stepney.