The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, has welcomed the Confirmation of Election of the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

The special service held at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday (Wednesday 28 January) marked the date that Bishop Sarah Mullally DBE legally became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Confirmation of Election is a legal ceremony, set within a church service, at which Bishop Sarah, the Archbishop-Elect, legally becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop Sarah’s first act as Archbishop was to take up the Primatial Cross and give the blessing at the end of the service.

Bishop Rob said: “I give thanks for Archbishop Sarah as she prepares for the exciting and challenging role of leading the Church of England and wider Anglican Communion. We pray that she will know God’s love and wisdom especially as she takes up this new role.

“It’s only a few months ago that my own Confirmation of Election service was held when I became Bishop of Carlisle. Whilst I was filled with a sense of joy and excitement, I also felt the heavy weight of expectation and responsibility that comes with the role that God called me to. I know that Archbishop Sarah will also have experienced those same emotions; even more so as the leader of our Anglican Communion. So, I pray that God will continue to guide her as together we look to see His Kingdom flourish and grow new disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Bishop Rob will attend Archbishop Sarah’s Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral in March.

ENDS

Picture: Courtesy of Graham Lacdao/St Paul's Cathedral

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.