In a historic ceremony held at Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah Mullally has been installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This landmark event marks the first time a woman has assumed this prestigious position in the Church of England’s long history, which spans 1,400 years.
The installation, occurring on the Feast of the Annunciation, signifies the official commencement of Dame Sarah’s leadership over the Church of England and her role as spiritual head of the global Anglican Communion, which boasts approximately 85 million followers worldwide.
The ceremony was attended by around 2,000 people, including notable figures such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and leaders from various Christian denominations and traditions.
Reflecting her previous career in the NHS, Dame Sarah extended invitations to NHS nurses and carers, highlighting her connection to the healthcare sector. Her attire for the event included a clasp made from the belt buckle she wore while serving as a nurse.
The theme of the installation service was “Jesus as the Good Shepherd,” blending ancient rituals with contemporary symbols. Dame Sarah was seated in the historic Chair of St Augustine and presented with a pastoral staff, symbolizing her role as a shepherd to her flock.
In her sermon, she began with the words, “For nothing will be impossible with God,” as spoken by the Angel Gabriel to Mary, a passage from Luke 1:37. She shared how these words resonate with her personally, reflecting on her unexpected journey to becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury.
She expressed solidarity with Anglican members unable to attend due to conflicts in the Middle East and Gulf regions, and extended her prayers to those affected by wars, including in Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar.
Addressing past failures, she acknowledged the Church of England’s shortcomings in safeguarding, which had previously led to the resignation of her predecessor, Justin Welby.
“We must not overlook or minimise the pain experienced by those who have been harmed through the actions, inactions and failures of those in our own Christian churches and communities,” she emphasized.
She spoke of hope in God’s presence, urging belief in His promises: “For with Him, nothing will be impossible.” Her journey to Canterbury Cathedral, a six-day pilgrimage from St Paul’s Cathedral in London, symbolized her spiritual path and commitment.
For the first time since 1945, a modern Bible was utilized for the oath-taking. The traditional 6th-century Augustine Gospels, kept at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, were deemed too fragile to be moved, leading to the use of the Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition instead.
Highlighting the Anglican Communion’s diversity, the ceremony included a prayer in Zambia’s Bemba language by Most Rev Albert Chama, and a Gospel reading in Spanish by Bishop Alba Sally Sue Hernández García from Mexico.
The hymns chosen by Archbishop Mullally included “Tell Out My Soul” and “Praise my Soul the King of Heaven.”
In her statement prior to the service, she acknowledged the support received from around the world and emphasized the importance of sharing the Gospel’s joy: “Our world today needs the love, healing, and hope that we find in Jesus Christ.”
Dame Sarah’s installation follows her confirmation in January, where she officially became Archbishop. Her leadership comes at a time of significant challenges within the Church, including divisions over issues like sexuality.
Despite these challenges, her supporters view her as a conciliatory and experienced leader. Dr. David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, noted the significance of her installation: “Installing Sarah as our first female Archbishop would have almost been unimaginable even 50 years ago. Today matters.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
