THE Church of England's first black Archbishop has said he would be happy to ordain women bishops if the Church of England changed its rules to allow it.

In a newspaper interview, Dr John Sentamu, who was confirmed as the 97th Archbishop of York in a ceremony this week, also condemned the way some members of the Anglican communion had spoken of gay men and lesbians.

Dr Sentamu told a national newspaper yesterday: "It seems to suggest that all the evils of the world are being perpetrated by gay and lesbian people, which I cannot believe to be the case.''

He said people did not have to be gay to be sinful and alienate themselves from God.

''To suggest that to be gay equals evil, I find that quite unbelievable,'' he said.

Asked about whether he would be prepared to consecrate women as bishops if the Church permitted it, Dr Sentamu said he saw no obstacle.

''I will do what the Church feels is right,'' he said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who led the service at St Mary-le-Bow Church, in the City of London, warned Dr Sentamu that expectation lay "heavy on his shoulders".

He said the people of his diocese would be looking to Dr Sentamu to ''engage with the great public issues of the day''.

Dr Sentamu succeeds Dr David Hope, now Lord Hope of Thornes, who resigned in February to take up a post as parish priest in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.