St Mary Magdalene Welcomes the New Archbishop of Canterbury
A New Chapter for the Church of England
We at St Mary Magdalene join with the wider Church of England in celebrating the news that the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally has been nominated as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. This is a moment of great joy and historical significance, and we offer our full support and prayers for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take on this new role.
A Historic and Inspiring Choice
The appointment of Bishop Sarah is a landmark moment, as she will be the first woman to hold the office of Archbishop of Canterbury. Her journey to this point is one of deep faith and dedicated service. Before her ordination in 2001, she had a distinguished career in nursing, becoming the youngest ever Chief Nursing Officer for England. She has described her time as a cancer nurse as "an opportunity to reflect the love of God," a sentiment that we are sure will resonate with our community.
A Vision of Hope and Unity
In her statement, Bishop Sarah expressed a simple and profound desire: “to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions.” This message of faith in action is one that we cherish here at St Mary Magdalene. We are also encouraged by the words of leaders like the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who praised her “huge courage, wisdom, integrity, and experience.”
Our Prayers from Welwyn Garden City
As a parish, we will be holding Bishop Sarah in our prayers in the coming months as she prepares for her new ministry. We pray for God's guidance and strength for her and her family. We share in the hope that her leadership will bless the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion.
The Path to Installation
There are several steps before Bishop Sarah officially begins her ministry. Before Christmas, the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral will formally elect her. She will legally become the Archbishop of Canterbury at a Confirmation of Election ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on January 28th, 2026. Her public ministry will begin with a service of installation at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026. We look forward to welcoming the new Archbishop and pray for her as she embarks on this new chapter. May God grant her wisdom, courage, and joy in her service.
