Last updated at 16:50, Thursday, 24 January 2013

PUPILS at a South Lakes school were treated to an intimate question and answer session with the Archbishop of York yesterday.

QUESTION TIME: The Most Reverend Archbishop Dr John Sentamu talking to pupils from Cartmel Priory School in Cartmel Priory during his visit yesterday. Right, pupil Iona Higgins presenting the archbishop with a gift from Cartmel PICTURES BY HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50043635B003/004

The high-ranking Church of England cleric was in Cumbria and spent some of the afternoon fielding questions from students from Cartmel Priory School.

The youngsters sat in Cartmel Priory and asked the Most Reverend Archbishop Dr John Sentamu questions on a range of topics.

The queries ranged from personal questions about his life and faith to his views on hot political topics, such as gay marriage.

Dr Sentamu welcomed the chance to engage with the younger generation.

He said: “Children are not the church of tomorrow – they are the church of today.

“I think if you cannot engage today, the future is not very bright at all.”

He praised the questions the children asked and said he enjoyed having the chance to answer them.

The archbishop added: “Every time I work with young people I am fired up and challenged.

“An event like this is fantastic because they ask a simple, straightforward question and want a simple, straightforward answer.”

He was particularly impressed when he was asked how he felt the church could be made more relevant to young people.

And the visit was warmly welcomed by members of the local church who said it was an honour to have him visit the area.

Dr Paul Williams, headteacher at Cartmel Priory School, said staff had found the visit as interesting as the pupils.

The children researched the archbishop and planned a list of questions to ask when they met him but the answers captivated the adults as much as the pupils.

Dr Williams added: “It is always inspiring to meet people who don’t just say things but are willing to put their own lives on the line to stand up for their beliefs.

“It was quite sobering when he was asked why he came to England.”

The archbishop was born in Uganda and the children heard how he fled his country during the regime of Adi Amin to protect his life.

First published at 16:20, Thursday, 24 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk