Dame Sarah Mullally has legally taken up the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.
A protestor interrupted the ceremony for the new Archbishop of Canterbury (Image: BBC News)
A protester was removed from St Paul’s Cathedral as Dame Sarah Mullally legally took up the post of Archbishop of Canterbury. Mullally was officially named as the first woman to take the Church of England’s top ministry role, saying she hopes to lead with “calmness, consistency and compassion”. During the service, broadcast on BBC News, the Archbishop-elect was led to a single chair positioned before the Royal Commissioners as proceedings began to confirm her election as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
As the proctor for the Cathedral and the Metropolitan Church of Christ at Canterbury read aloud the public notice stating that no objections had been received to the confirmation, shouting was heard from within the congregation. Dame Sarah remained focused as the man, who appeared to be dressed in religious clothing, continued raising his voice, the sound echoing through the cathedral. Although his exact words were unclear, cameras cut to security staff who swiftly escorted him from the ceremony.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said that a “full opportunity” had been given for lawful objections, but none had been received and the process would therefore continue.
The interruption didn’t go unnoticed by viewers, who rushed straight to X to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “A protester has just been removed from #StPauls during the service at which the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally officially takes up the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.”
Another shared: “Lots of heckling at new Archbishop of Canterbury.”
A third furious fan said: “Not the time to heckle.”
She, a former chief nursing officer for England, served as Bishop of London for almost a decade and was officially named in October as the first female to be chosen as the top archbishop.
The man was swiftly removed from St Paul’s Cathedral by security (Image: BBC)
Bishops and clergy, local schoolchildren, and representatives from across the Church and the wider Anglican Communion gathered at the service, hearing that Dame Sarah was “stepping into history” as the first woman to take on the role.
Before the ceremony, Dame Sarah said it is an “extraordinary and humbling privilege” to have been named the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
She continued: “These are times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world. I pray that we will offer space to break bread together and discover what we have in common – and I pledge myself to this ministry of hospitality.
“I want us to be a Church that always listens to the voices of those who have been ignored or overlooked, among them victims and survivors of church abuse who have often been let down.”
Dame Sarah added: “I am committed to equipping the Church to be a kind and safe place that cares for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, as we rise to the challenge of God’s call to justice, equity, peace and the care of creation.”
