Appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury

Portsmouth Cathedral warmly welcomes the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. We offer our prayers and support as she begins this vital ministry of leadership, service, and witness within the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and our wider society and nation. Sarah has always broken new ground, being the youngest ever chief nursing officer for England, and it is a mark of how far the Church of England has travelled in recent decades that she will now be the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Church of England, as the established church, plays an important role in our society, bringing the perspective of faith and worship to every aspect of our life, as well as in the provision of education, help for the deprived and furthering social justice. Sarah brings an impressive range of skills and experience to leading all this, including experience of cathedral ministry at Salisbury, in what is undoubtedly a daunting role, and she will know that nothing can be accomplished without the grace and guidance of God. Here in Portsmouth, we dare to hope that Archbishop Sarah will be able to visit our diocese and cathedral during our 2027 centenary year, if not before, and we assure her of our daily prayers.

Anthony Cane,

Dean of Portsmouth