The Primates of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia will join leaders from across the Anglican Communion in England this week for the installation of the Most Reverend and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Most Reverend Dr Donald Tamihere, the Most Reverend Sione Ulu’ilakepa, and the Most Reverend Justin Duckworth are in the United Kingdom ahead of Thursday morning’s service (NZT), where Archbishop Sarah will become the first woman to hold office in its 1,400-year history.
Archbishop Don Tamihere says the service’s rich weave of language and culture reflects something deeply resonant for Māori, and for the wider Anglican Communion.
“Our Māori tipuna fell in love with the indigenous Christ. So when a service gathers many languages and cultures into one act of worship, we see something of the Anglican Communion as it is meant to be, a body in which indigenous peoples and culturally grounded expressions of faith are not diminished but can flourish.”
More than 2000 people are expected to attend the installation at Canterbury Cathedral, including Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch.
The installation takes place on the Feast of the Annunciation, commemorating the Angel Gabriel’s revelation to Mary that she would bear Jesus. The liturgy will include readings and prayers offered by members of the global Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Sione Ulu’ikalepa says it is fitting that Archbishop Sarah will be enthroned on such a significant day.
“On the Feast of the Annunciation, we remember that God’s purpose unfolds through willing hearts. As Archbishop Sarah is enthroned on this day of promise, we join the wider Communion in praying that her leadership will be marked by courage, gentleness, and hope.”
The service will include a mandate from His Majesty King Charles III authorising the installation of the new Archbishop. She will first be installed in the Cathedra in the Quire as Archbishop of Canterbury, before being seated in the ancient Chair of St Augustine, symbolising her wider ministry, including as primus inter pares among the bishops of the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Sarah, along with her husband Eamonn, arrived in Canterbury last Sunday (GMT) after a six-day walking pilgrimage from London. It is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has ventured along the ancient pilgrim routes in the lead up to installation. The journey allowed Archbishop Sarah to visit historic locations of worship, meet with fellow pilgrims, visit schools and join prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys.
Archbishop Justin Duckworth says Archbishop Sarah undertaking a pilgrimage ahead of her installation shows her strength of character and commitment to faith.
“By walking to Canterbury, Archbishop Sarah shows that leadership begins with presence and shared footsteps. As the Angel Gabriel declared to Mary nothing will be impossible with God, Archbishop Sarah’s pilgrimage becomes a sign of the hope we carry, that God is still moving, still calling, still transforming us as we go.”
The installation service will be broadcast via BBC and a livestream will be provided on the Church of England YouTube channel from 4am to 5.30am (NZT) Thursday 26 March.
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