First female archbishop due to finish pilgrimage walk in Canterbury

First female archbishop due to finish pilgrimage walk in Canterbury

The Church of England’s historic appointment of its first female Archbishop of Canterbury is approaching a significant milestone. Dame Sarah Mullally, who holds the distinction of being the 106th individual to take this high office in over 1,400 years, expressed her deep sense of “immense privilege” as she prepared for her official enthronement. This event is set to mark the beginning of her ministry at Canterbury Cathedral, drawing a crowd of more than 2,000 guests—including British royalty and representatives of various faiths from across the globe.

Her enthronement ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, will take place amid a local meningitis outbreak, but authorities have confirmed that no additional safety measures will be implemented at the event. They remain vigilant and continue to liaise with health officials to monitor the evolving situation. In a statement released during her pilgrimage, Dame Sarah conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families who have suffered losses due to the outbreak, emphasizing that her “heart goes out to them in their devastating loss.”

The journey to her formal installation commenced last October when Dame Sarah was first named to the role, followed by her election in January during a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral. Her inaugural sermon as Archbishop will be delivered at Canterbury Cathedral in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, attending on behalf of the King. The service will be marked by linguistic diversity, featuring scripture readings and prayers in Urdu, Spanish, and Bemba—the language spoken in Zambia—reflecting the broad reach of the Anglican Communion.

Attendees will include Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, as well as various faith leaders, charity representatives, healthcare professionals, and schoolchildren. Notably, Dame Sarah, whose background includes serving as England’s chief nursing officer before her ordination, has extended invitations to NHS nurses and carers working in local hospitals and hospices. She shared her gratitude for the support she has received, saying, “To be welcomed into the city and diocese of Canterbury is an immense privilege,” and emphasized that “our world today needs the love, healing and hope that we find in Jesus Christ.

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