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First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Completes Walking Pilgrimage
22 Mar
Summary
- Dame Sarah Mullally finished her six-day pilgrimage before her formal installation.
- She is the 106th Archbishop and the first woman in the role's history.
- The enthronement ceremony will host over 2,000 guests globally.
The first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has concluded her six-day walking pilgrimage ahead of her official enthronement ceremony. Arriving in Canterbury from London on Sunday, she was accompanied by approximately 100 people on the final leg of her journey to the cathedral. This walk precedes her formal installation, which is set to take place next Wednesday.
Dame Sarah expressed her relief and joy at completing the pilgrimage, looking forward to her upcoming enthronement. The installation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral will be attended by over 2,000 guests, including members of the royal family and international faith representatives. She is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and notably the first woman to hold this position in the church's 1,400-year history.
The ceremony is proceeding without specific safety mitigations, despite a recent meningitis outbreak in Kent, with health authorities being closely monitored. Dame Sarah has offered her thoughts and prayers to the families affected by the outbreak. Her ministry officially begins with Wednesday's ceremony, following her nomination last October and confirmation in January.
Distinguished guests for the enthronement include the Prince and Princess of Wales, representing the King, alongside primates from the Anglican Communion worldwide. The Pope will send a representative, and the new Archbishop of Westminster will participate. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch are also expected, along with various faith leaders, healthcare workers, and schoolchildren, including invited NHS nurses and carers.
