Archbishop of Canterbury to embark on historic six-day pilgrimage

The Archbishop of Canterbury will undertake a six-day pilgrimage before she is installed because the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury later this month. 

The London to Canterbury pilgrimage has been described as the primary journey of its kind by a recent archbishop in modern times.

The 140km walk will begin on Tuesday and end on Sunday 22 March, just days before her installation at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March. The timing has drawn some criticism from pro-lifers because it falls over a crucial vote within the House of Lords on removing criminal penalties for girls aborting their unborn baby at any stage within the pregnancy. 

The pilgrimage is meant to assist prepare herself spiritually for her public ministry within the Church of England and across the Anglican Communion.

Dame Sarah, who was recently formally confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury at St Paul’s Cathedral, will travel the Becket Camino from St Paul’s to Canterbury Cathedral along with her husband, Eamonn.

The route will soak up sections of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino, echoing each the traditional tradition of pilgrimage to Canterbury and her own move from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury.

During the journey, she is going to attend Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys, while also gathering with other pilgrims, visiting schools and spending time with ecumenical groups. In an announcement, Archbishop Mullally said she was keen to satisfy and pray with them in addition to hear their stories.

Stops include Southwark Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral, Lesnes Abbey, Aylesford Priory and the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham.

Dean of Canterbury David Monteith and members of the cathedral chapter will join the ultimate leg from Chartham into Canterbury, with the Archbishop as a consequence of reach the cathedral in time for Evensong on Sunday.

Pupils at Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham created a pilgrim’s passport for the journey and prayer cards carrying a prayer written by pupils from The Archbishop’s School in Canterbury may also be handed out in the course of the walk.

Archbishop Mullally said: “As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following within the footsteps of those that have walked this ancient route.

“As I walk this path I can be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage – a journey with God. As I begin this recent chapter in my very own life and ministry, I’m grateful to be walking with God and with others.”

Pilgrim Officer at Canterbury Cathedral Torin Brown said: “Pilgrimage is a superb outward encounter with recent places and other people, but for me the inward journey of spiritual improvement is equally inevitable to such an endeavour, and so it’s an awesome privilege and honour to have the chance to accompany Archbishop Sarah as she prepares for her recent role with humility and beauty, by walking a camino to Canterbury.”

Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Richard Braddy, said the walk would help root the approaching installation in prayer and encounter, adding that churches, schools and others along the route can be joining in.

He said every day themes and prayers would even be shared on social media in order that others could participate prayerfully in the course of the pilgrimage.

“I’m looking forward personally to take time to experience God’s presence on this pilgrimage, to deepen my journey as a disciple of Christ, and thru the gift of the Holy Spirit see what conversations unfold as we encounter people on the best way,” he said.

The pilgrimage comes shortly after Dame Sarah’s formal confirmation at St Paul’s Cathedral, where she raised the Primatial Cross, symbolising the authority of the Primate.

Her appointment follows a lengthy emptiness within the office after Justin Welby stepped down greater than a yr ago.

Her installation on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, will mark the symbolic starting of her ministry as diocesan bishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England.

The service, rooted in centuries of tradition, is anticipated to reflect each the historic role of Canterbury and the contemporary diversity of the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion.