Today, 28 January, a special service was held at St Pauls Cathedral in which Dame Sarah Mullally officially became Archbishop of Canterbury. The Confirmation of Election is one of the final steps in the process of a new Archbishop beginning their role.
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 was 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.
Archbishop Sarah said:
"It is an extraordinary and humbling privilege to have been called to be the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. In this country and around the world, Anglican churches bring healing and hope to their communities. With God’s help, I will seek to guide Christ’s flock with calmness, consistency and compassion."
We join with others around the world in Praying for Archbishop Sarah as she becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
Almighty God,
you call your Church in every age
to proclaim the Gospel of Christ:
look with mercy upon your servant Sarah,
and grant that, as deacon, she may care for those in need,
as priest, sustain us with the ministry of word and sacrament, and as bishop, guard the faith
and build up the body of Christ in holiness.
Giver her wisdom and kindness
that as archbishop, she may promote unity, seek truth,
and lead us in the way of righteousness and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.