The Church of England has formally installed its new archbishop of Canterbury, marking a first in the institution’s long history. Sarah Mullally has become the 106th person to hold the role, and the first woman to do so.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at Canterbury Cathedral, following a tradition dating back more than 1,400 years. It began with Mullally knocking three times on the cathedral’s west door before being admitted by local schoolchildren. The service lasted about 90 minutes and was attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Mullally, who was appointed last October, also completed an 87-mile walk from London to Canterbury in the days leading up to the ceremony. The route mirrors the journey described in The Canterbury Tales.
In her sermon, Mullally referenced her path to the role. "As I look back over my life … I could never have imagined the future that lay ahead, and certainly not the ministry to which I am now called."
Her appointment comes amid relatively recent changes within the Church of England. Women have been allowed to serve as priests since 1994 and as bishops since 2014. As archbishop of Canterbury, Mullally now leads both the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, which includes tens of millions of members worldwide.
The ceremony reflected that international scope, with portions conducted in multiple languages, including Spanish, Swahili and Urdu.
Not everyone in the Anglican community supports the appointment. The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans has expressed opposition, highlighting ongoing divisions within the church over women in leadership roles.
Still, senior church officials and attendees described the event as significant. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said, "I don't underestimate the challenge this is for some people in the Anglican Communion, but equally I don't think we should overplay that."
"I think the world is rejoicing today at what's happening."
Some visiting bishops also spoke as well: "Most people have never seen a woman church leader … people set such a high bar," said Reverend Emily Onyango. "Everybody thinks that you should be twice as good as the other bishops to be recognized so I think it is quite challenging."
Bishop Vicentia Kgabe added, "Some of us never thought in our lifetime, nor in the life of the church, we'd have a woman being elected and her saying yes to the appointment. That is a historic moment."
"We are very excited and grateful to God that this has happened," Onyango said. "We feel affirmed, you know, by one of us being at the top of the church."
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at Canterbury Cathedral, following a tradition dating back more than 1,400 years. It began with Mullally knocking three times on the cathedral’s west door before being admitted by local schoolchildren. The service lasted about 90 minutes and was attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Mullally, who was appointed last October, also completed an 87-mile walk from London to Canterbury in the days leading up to the ceremony. The route mirrors the journey described in The Canterbury Tales.
In her sermon, Mullally referenced her path to the role. "As I look back over my life … I could never have imagined the future that lay ahead, and certainly not the ministry to which I am now called."
Her appointment comes amid relatively recent changes within the Church of England. Women have been allowed to serve as priests since 1994 and as bishops since 2014. As archbishop of Canterbury, Mullally now leads both the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, which includes tens of millions of members worldwide.
The ceremony reflected that international scope, with portions conducted in multiple languages, including Spanish, Swahili and Urdu.
Not everyone in the Anglican community supports the appointment. The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans has expressed opposition, highlighting ongoing divisions within the church over women in leadership roles.
Still, senior church officials and attendees described the event as significant. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said, "I don't underestimate the challenge this is for some people in the Anglican Communion, but equally I don't think we should overplay that."
"I think the world is rejoicing today at what's happening."
Some visiting bishops also spoke as well: "Most people have never seen a woman church leader … people set such a high bar," said Reverend Emily Onyango. "Everybody thinks that you should be twice as good as the other bishops to be recognized so I think it is quite challenging."
Bishop Vicentia Kgabe added, "Some of us never thought in our lifetime, nor in the life of the church, we'd have a woman being elected and her saying yes to the appointment. That is a historic moment."
"We are very excited and grateful to God that this has happened," Onyango said. "We feel affirmed, you know, by one of us being at the top of the church."
