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The new archbishop of Canterbury has highlighted the pain caused to victims and survivors of abuse by the Church of England in her first sermon, delivered at a grand ceremony marking her formal installation as its spiritual head.
Sarah Mullally, a former nurse who has made history as the C of E’s first female archbishop, said: “We must not overlook or minimise the pain experienced by those who have been harmed through the actions, inactions and failures of those in our own Christian churches and communities.
“Today and every day, we hold victims and survivors in our hearts and in our prayers, and we must remain committed to truth, compassion, justice and action.”
Justin Welby, Mullally’s predecessor, resigned after being criticised for failing to respond properly to allegations against John Smyth, one of the most prolific abusers in the church.
During the instalment – traditionally called an enthronement – Mullally, who will be 64 on Thursday, became the de facto leader of the Church of England and the 85-million strong global Anglican church in 165 countries.
Among 2,000 guests at Canterbury Cathedral were the Prince and Princess of Wales representing the king, as well as Keir Starmer, the prime minister, and Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition.
The congregation also included more than 100 guests from Anglican provinces around the world and almost 150 representatives from the Church of England’s ecumenical partners, including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox churches.
To reflect her time working in the NHS, the new archbishop also invited nurses and carers working in hospitals and hospices in Canterbury.
The service, on the Feast of the Annunciation, when the Virgin Mary learned she was to bear the son of God, followed Mullally’s six-day pilgrimage on foot from St Paul’s Cathedral in London to Canterbury.
“Each day my heart and spirits were lifted immeasurably by the people young and old we encountered, even though my aching feet and limbs tell a different story,” she told the congregation.
The ceremony began with processions of bishops, senior clergy, church officials and global representatives. It was followed by the reading of a mandate sent from the king, the supreme governor of the C of E, instructing the installation to proceed.
Mullally was dressed in a golden cope and wore a ceremonial headdress known as a mitre. Instead of a traditional “morse” holding together her robes, she wore the silver buckle from her nurse’s belt.
In keeping with ancient ritual, she used her pastoral staff to knock three times on the cathedral’s great west door, seeking admission. The doors opened to a fanfare, and the new archbishop was greeted by local schoolchildren, who asked: “Who are you and why do you request entry?”
Mullally replied: “I am Sarah, a servant of Jesus Christ, and I come as one seeking the grace of God, to travel with you in his service together.”
Later in the service, Mullally made a declaration affirming her “belief in the faith which is revealed in the holy scriptures and set forth in the Catholic creeds and to which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness; and in public prayer and administration of the sacraments, I will use only the forms of service which are authorised or allowed by canon”.
After signing an ecumenical document, witnessed by representatives of other churches, Mullally shook hands with the men and hugged the women. It was a striking moment in a 90-minute service in which women played a prominent part.
The solemnity of the occasion was punctured when the vibrantly-clad mainly-female African Choir of Norfolk sang Hata Milele, Jesu ni Bwana (Even forever, Jesus is Lord) in Swahili, and later the acclamation Muhona. Readings and prayers were said and sung in several languages including Urdu, Spanish and Bemba.
Mullally was led up the cathedral’s steps to the Chair of St Augustine, made from Purbeck marble and dating from the 13th century. The chair is close to the shrine of St Thomas Becket, the murdered 12th-century archbishop, in the cathedral’s Trinity chapel.
After she was formally installed as primate of all England by the cathedral’s dean, the congregation applauded, and Mullally appeared visibly moved.
Members of the congregation were invited to make a contribution to a collection to support the work of the cathedral, which costs £30,000 a day to maintain.
“Once I try and get my head round being the archbishop, I recognise the significance of being the first female archbishop, but I am also aware of the women who have supported me in my ministry, and also the men as well,” Mullally told the BBC in an interview to mark her installation.
She said the service deliberately had “women’s voices right the way through it, so there’s something about celebrating women, but also being able to say to other people, in a sense, it’s entirely possible for you to follow your dreams and what you want to do.”
On safeguarding, she said “light should be shone” on the church’s actions. “And the more senior we are, the more light should be shone.”
