Britain anoints first black archbishop

LONDON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Ugandan-born John Sentamu has been anointed as Britain's first black archbishop in a lavish, African-themed Church of England ceremony, a report said.

Dancers greeted the colorfully garbed archbishop of York and 3,000 congregants applauded his inauguration, The London Evening Standard reported.

The Rev. Sentamu took his oath on a manuscript of the four Gospels transcribed and decorated by Eadui Basan and other monks of Canterbury around the year 1000.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams performed the ceremony.

The Church of England is a member of the Anglican Communion as are the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the United States.