Bishop Michael shared his joy and sent warm wishes on behalf of the whole diocese for Bishop Sarah Mulally as she formally becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury today. She is the first woman to hold the office in its 1,400-year history.
Bishop Michael said: “It is a huge joy to see Sarah take on this role and to see her bring her many gifts, skills and abilities to the work of being our Archbishop. Please do join with me in praying for Sarah on this special day, asking God to give her all the grace, wisdom and courage that she will need to fulfil the responsibilities to which she has been called.
“I shall be in St Paul’s Cathedral for the special service that will formally mark Sarah becoming Archbishop. On behalf of the people of Somerset, I look forward to cheering Sarah on as she takes this new step and opens this next chapter in our lives together.”
The Confirmation of Election is a legal ceremony, set within a church service, at which Bishop Sarah, the Archbishop-Elect, legally becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop's Sarah’s first act as Archbishop will be to take up the Primatial Cross and give the blessing at the end of the service.
The Confirmation will be followed by an Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral in March, where Archbishop Sarah will preach her first sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury. Between her Confirmation of Election and Installation, Archbishop Sarah will pay homage to The King and meet with the leaders of other Christian denominations and other faiths in the UK. She will also co-preside at the Church of England’s General Synod in London in February, where she will deliver the Presidential Address. By tradition, Archbishop Sarah will begin her public ministry and full programme of public engagements following her Installation.
Read more about Bishop Sarah Mullally's tconfirmation Archbishop of Canterbury.