Archbishop Mullally Set for Historic Visit to Rome as She Embarks on Her New Role
(Photo: Lambeth Palace/Neil Turner)
Following her historic installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally is preparing for a significant visit to Rome next month. Her upcoming meeting with Pope Leo XIV signifies a shared commitment to fostering Christian unity, a theme echoed in recent exchanges between the two leaders.
Archbishop Mullally was officially installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, marking a new chapter in her leadership of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
From April 25 to 28, Archbishop Mullally is set to visit the Vatican, where she will meet with Pope Leo. In a letter to commemorate her installation, the Pope expressed his prayers for her guidance by the Holy Spirit and inspiration from the example of Mary.
Archbishop Mullally responded with gratitude, reiterating her dedication to Christian unity and her anticipation of further strengthening the bonds between Anglicans and Roman Catholics during her upcoming trip.
Cardinal Kurt Koch, responsible for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, delivered the Pope’s message during the installation events, which reflected a strong ecumenical spirit.
A joint prayer service was conducted with the Roman Catholic delegation, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Common Declaration. This pivotal document marked a new era in Anglican-Roman Catholic relations following a historic meeting between Archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI.
In a symbolic gesture, Archbishop Mullally and Cardinal Koch prayed together at the scene of St Thomas Becket’s martyrdom in Canterbury Cathedral, reminiscent of Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1982 with Archbishop Robert Runcie.
The prayer service was attended by senior figures from both churches, including Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop Flavio Pace, and Bishop Anthony Ball of the Anglican Centre in Rome, which facilitates joint efforts between the two religious communities.
Pope Leo, mirroring sentiments of the late Pope Francis, emphasized that Christian division should not hinder a unified witness to Christ, noting that the Gospel is best proclaimed through a “reconciled, fraternal and united” Christian community.
Reflecting on decades of dialogue between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, Archbishop Mullally highlighted the ongoing impact of the meeting between Paul VI and Michael Ramsey, which continues to bear fruit through theological engagement and mutual witness.
She acknowledged the work of ARCIC and IARCCUM, key organizations promoting dialogue and unity between the Anglican and Catholic Churches, stating, “We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us into all truth, deepen our fellowship, and lead us ever closer to the visible unity for which Christ prayed.”
This renewed focus on Christian unity comes at a pivotal time for Archbishop Mullally, who faces numerous challenges within the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion. Her installation ceremony on the Feast of the Annunciation drew approximately 2,000 attendees, including notable figures such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and church leaders from Britain and beyond.
In her installation sermon, themed around Jesus as the Good Shepherd, Archbishop Mullally spoke of hope rooted in the incarnation and God’s enduring presence. She also addressed the pain caused by past safeguarding failures within the Church, urging for truth, compassion, justice, and decisive action.
While welcomed by many as a capable and unifying leader, Archbishop Mullally’s tenure begins amidst tensions, as some conservative Anglican factions have yet to recognize her authority.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
