The new Archbishop of Canterbury will take part in a six-day, 140-kilometer (87-mile) walking pilgrimage beginning Tuesday (March 17) from London to Canterbury in England to spiritually prepare for her official installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25.
The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally will walk the historic “Becket Camino” pilgrimage route from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral with her husband, Eamon. The journey echoes the centuries-old tradition of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury and reflects her own path in ministry from bishop of London to archbishop of Canterbury.
“As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route,” Mullally said.
“For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to Canterbury, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities.”
Along the route, Mullally plans to visit churches, cathedrals and other Christian sites, joining prayer services and meeting local congregations. Stops include Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St. Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.
The final stage of the walk will see David Monteith, dean of Canterbury, and members of the cathedral chapter join the pilgrims from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on March 22.
The pilgrimage will also include engagement with schools and local Christian groups. A pilgrim’s passport for the route was designed by pupils from Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham, and prayer cards will be distributed featuring a prayer written by students from The Archbishop’s School in Canterbury.
“As people from around the wider Anglican Communion prepare to come to Canterbury for the Archbishop’s Installation, it will be a joy to approach this occasion on foot and rooted in prayer,” said the Rev. Richard Braddy, chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Historic appointment and ongoing debate
Mullally’s installation follows her appointment last year as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to lead the worldwide Anglican Communion of about 85 million members in 165 countries, as previously reported by Christian Daily International.
Her nomination was welcomed by some within the Church of England but also sparked debate across the global Communion, particularly over her support for allowing prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.
Leaders of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a movement representing conservative Anglican provinces primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, said her stance makes it difficult for the Archbishop of Canterbury to serve as a unifying figure for the Communion.
The issue remains contested within the Church of England itself. In February, the church’s General Synod voted against formally introducing blessings for same-sex marriages after extensive debate.
