New Archbishop of Canterbury enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral
Dame Sarah Mullally has made history today
Last updated 25th Mar 2026
Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral, where applause erupted among the 2,000-strong congregation as she smiled broadly.
She was first placed into the Bishop’s Chair, which dates from 1844, and marked her installation as Archbishop of Canterbury.
She was then installed in the ancient Chair of St Augustine – dating from the early 13th century, symbolising her wider ministry across the Anglican Communion.
Dame Sarah said: “I solemnly commit myself before you to the service of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and the whole Church of Christ throughout the world, that together we may proclaim the Gospel of Christ who reconciles us to God and breaks down the walls that divide us.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said she was “delighted to be with you today” as she gave her first sermon in the role.
She told a congregation of around 2,000 people at Canterbury Cathedral: “Over the last week I have walked the ancient pilgrim path from St Paul’s Cathedral in London to Canterbury Cathedral.
“Each day my heart and spirits were lifted immeasurably by the people – young and old – we encountered, even though my aching feet and limbs tell a different story.
“As I have walked, I have been aware that I make this journey both on a personal level – as my ministry moves from being the Bishop of London to the Archbishop of Canterbury – but more significantly, I make this journey with others and in the footsteps of the past.”
Dame Sarah undertook a six-day pilgrimage by foot from London to Canterbury in preparation for her role, arriving in the Kent city on Sunday.
Dame Sarah Mullally said she could never have imagined as a teenager that she would one day become the first woman appointed to the Church of England’s top ministry role.
She became a Christian aged 16.
During her sermon the new archbishop referred to Mary, the mother of God, who she said had to trust “in a future she couldn’t yet see – a future she could never have imagined”.
Dame Sarah told the congregation: “This resonates with me, as I look back over my life – at the teenage Sarah, who put her faith in God and made a commitment to follow Jesus.
“I could never have imagined the future that lay ahead, and certainly not the ministry to which I am now called.”
Failures on safeguarding in the Church were acknowledged by the Archbishop of Canterbury in her sermon.
Dame Sarah Mullally said: “In a world already torn by conflict, suffering, and division, we must also acknowledge the hurt that exists much closer to home.
“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.
“Today, and every day, we hold victims and survivors in our hearts and in our prayers, and we must remain committed to truth, compassion, justice and action.”
Dame Sarah Mullally prayed for peace in the world, as she noted that some people invited to the enthronement had been unable to attend because of the conflict in the Middle East.
She said: “Some of our Anglican brothers and sisters are unable to be here today due to the war in the Middle East and the Gulf.
“We pray for them without ceasing, and for all those in war-torn areas of the world – in Ukraine, in Sudan, and Myanmar, that they would know God’s presence with them, just as we pray for peace to prevail.”
The Archbishop of Jerusalem confirmed he could not travel due to the current situation, while the Archbishop of Melanesia and the acting Primate of Papua New Guinea sent their apologies, due to travel issues caused by the conflict in Iran.