Here you can read about the process of appointing the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
An extensive public consultation took place which included people who live and work across our diocese.
The Diocese of Canterbury Vacancy in See Committee finalised the Statement of Needs and elected three representatives to the Crown Nominations Commission from its members.
The Crown Nominations Commission nominated the name of the preferred candidate to the Prime Minister, who submitted the name to The King for approval. The appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury Designate was announced by 10 Downing Street at 10am on Friday 3 October 2025.
The College of Canons at Canterbury Cathedral formally elected Bishop Sarah Mullally to be the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday 25 November 2025. Following the election, Bishop Sarah was known as the Archbishop of Canterbury-elect, although she remained the Bishop of London until her Confirmation of Election on 28 January 2026.
A legal ceremony, the Confirmation of Election marked the official date on which the new Archbishop took up office. The ceremony took place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, at which point Bishop Sarah legally became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury will take place at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March 2026, the Feast of the Annunciation. The Installation (sometimes referred to as an ‘enthronement’) denotes and marks the start of the new Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry.
A service of welcome from the Diocese of Canterbury will take place on Saturday 28 March 2026.