Photo Credit: Graham Lacdao / St Paul’s Cathedral.
The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Most Hon Sarah Mullally DBE, has pledged a ‘ministry of hospitality’ in a ‘fractured world’, following her Confirmation of Election service on 28 January 2026.
Held at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Confirmation of Election Service marked the moment when Sarah Mullally legally became the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury. She will take up her public ministry in March, following her installation service in Canterbury.
Archbishop Sarah's name is engraved to a plaque in Canterbury Cathedral that lists every previous holder of the office, all the way back to 597 and the first Archbishop of Canterbury, St Augustine.
Speaking on the morning of the Confirmation of Election service, Sarah Mullally said, ‘What it means to me personally, stepping into this role as the Archbishop of Canterbury, is that I have to depend upon God. It is in Him who my foundation is. Of course, I feel the weight of the office, but also I’ve been encouraged by people’s support and people’s prayers, for which I’m very grateful. What I hope that people understand from my approach is that I’m somebody that always works with other people in collaboration and partnership. There’s a wonderful proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, you go alone; if you want to go far, go together”. So, I’m looking to go far with others.
‘What I hope is that as the Archbishop of Canterbury I can nurture confidence… in the gospel for churches, individuals right across the Anglican Communion. But I also hope to be a shepherd, to care, [and] with others, offer the Christian hope to the world and also hospitality for those of difference.’
Archbishop Sarah Mullally on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral following the Confirmation of Election service.
Following the service at St Paul’s, Archbishop Sarah remarked that the service ‘reflected the rich diversity of the Anglican Communion and the Church of England, and the shared life we hold together. Receiving my charge felt like a deep affirmation of what God is calling me to do with others: to help give confidence in the Gospel and to the Church in the years ahead.’
Speaking about her hopes and priorities for her ministry as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, she shared ‘In this country and around the world, Anglican churches bring healing and hope to their communities. With God’s help, I will seek to guide Christ’s flock with calmness, consistency and compassion.
‘These are times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world. I pray that we will offer space to break bread together and discover what we have in common – and I pledge myself to this ministry of hospitality.
‘I am committed to equipping the Church to be a kind and safe place that cares for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, as we rise to the challenge of God’s call to justice, equity, peace and the care of creation.’
In an interview with the BBC, Archbishop Sarah said that she felt ‘called’ to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury. She acknowledged that while she had ‘received a lot of support across the Anglican Communion’, she recognised ‘that there are those that find my appointment difficult. I have always understood that people may find my appointment as a woman difficult in the church.’
Addressing an assertion of misogyny in the church, Archbishop Sarah stated, ‘It is fair to say that I have, both in my secular role as well as in the church, experienced a misogyny at times and I think that I have learned that as the first thing, you have to talk about it so that you bring it out into the open.’ She also reiterated her ‘commitment to safeguarding, particularly to listening to the victims and survivors of abuse.’
Read more about the Confirmation of Election service.