Catholic welcome for new Archbishop of Canterbury

The appointment was announced on October 3 after King Charles III had approved the nomination. Archbishop-designate Mullally, who is the Bishop of London, is the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s almost 500-year history.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, offered his congratulations on the appointment and expressed the Catholic Church’s support for her new ministry.

“Having learned of your nomination . . . I write to congratulate you on your appointment and to express the good wishes of the Catholic Church to you as you prepare to undertake this important service in your Church,” Cardinal Koch stated in a letter to the Archbishop-designate.

“I pray that the Lord will bless you with the gifts you need for the very demanding ministry to which you have now been called, equipping you to be an instrument of communion and unity for the faithful among whom you will serve.”

Cardinal Koch highlighted the longstanding theological dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, noting that it has fostered mutual understanding and affection over nearly 60 years. He recalled the warmth of relationships between the two communions, particularly after the death of Pope Francis earlier this year, and expressed hope that this closeness would continue.

The Tablet reported that Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols also welcomed Archbishop-designate Mullally’s appointment.

“She will bring many personal gifts and experience to her new role,” Cardinal Nichols said.

“The challenges and opportunities facing the new Archbishop are many and significant. On behalf of our Catholic community, I assure her of our prayers.

“Together we will be responsive to the prayer of Jesus that we ‘may all be one’ and seek to develop the bonds of friendship and shared mission between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.”

Speaking at Canterbury Cathedral after her selection was announced by Downing Street, Archbishop-designate Mullally, 63, said, “As I respond to the call of Christ in this new ministry, I remain rooted in my first calling: to follow Christ, to know him – and to make him known to the world.”

FULL STORY

Cardinal Koch congratulates Archbishop-designate of Canterbury Sarah Mullally (Vatican News)

Bishop of London Sarah Mullally to be Archbishop of Canterbury (The Tablet)

‘Hatred and racism cannot tear us apart,’ first woman Archbishop of Canterbury says (BBC)