A man to inspire

WITH his latest intervention on the care of the elderly, Dr John Sentamu has again demonstrated the leadership that is invariably absent from the Church of England’s upper echelons.

For, while the Archbishop of Canterbury pontificates from the sidelines, Dr Sentamu backs up his interventions with pro-active measures.

This has helped to enhance the Archbishop of York’s towering reputation as a beacon of hope to all sections of society, a reputation reinforced by his open letter to David Cameron, and England’s taxpayers, on society’s future care needs. Again, Dr Sentamu is leading by example and showing up those politicians who are reluctant to take difficult decisions that will have long-term consequences.

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This is characterised by their response to the Dilnot Commission. The Coalition is allowing the report’s findings to drift, presumably in the false expectation that the issue will evaporate.

It will not – the cost of an ageing society is one of this country’s greatest policy challenges and Dr Sentamu recognises this.

And, while some will baulk at the Government picking up a £2bn bill, this, says the Archbishop, should be seen through the prism of total public spending of £700bn and the need to strike the right balance between personal responsibility and society’s obligations to the elderly while inspiring the young to respect their elders.

As such, few will disagree with Dr Sentamu’s conclusion: “A truly caring and Christian society is therefore one that sees older people, not as a growing and irrelevant burden, but as a rich treasure store of energy, experience and wisdom to be placed at the service of the young and of its future.”

They are visionary words that should be heeded. For a measure of a country’s social conscience is the level of respect, care and compassion that is shown towards its senior citizens.