On Saturday 17 January, St Paul’s Cathedral held a special Eucharist and Farewell Service to mark the departure of the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, the Bishop of London. After eight years leading the Diocese, Bishop Sarah will assume her new role as Archbishop of Canterbury on 28 January.

Installed at the same Cathedral on 12 May 2018, Bishop Sarah became the first woman to serve as Bishop of London. Throughout her episcopacy, she articulated a clear and compelling vision: that every Londoner might encounter the love of God in Christ.

For over eight years, she has worked to equip and encourage the Diocese’s more than 500 churches and 90,000 regular worshippers, committed to deepening spiritual life in every parish. She often remarked that welcoming new believers into the faith through confirmation remained one of the greatest joys of her ministry.

Bishop Sarah has also sought to ensure the Diocese became ever more inclusive, welcoming and outward-focused. She regularly spoke of the Church’s calling to be a light in places of difficulty and need and has helped shape the Diocese’s Compassionate Communities initiative, ministering Christ’s love to the poor, suffering and marginalised.

In October 2025, Bishop Sarah made history once again when she was named the first woman to become Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1,400-year history of the office. She will return to St Paul’s Cathedral on 28 January for her Confirmation of Election – the legal ceremony at which her appointment is formally recognised.

Bishop Sarah’s Farewell Reflections

Preaching at the service, Bishop Sarah expressed her depth of gratitude to the Diocese:

“It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to a Diocese and a people I love. You have shaped me into the priest and the person I am today. If it were not for you and all that you have taught me, I would not be going where I am going now.”

In a message to clergy, she paid tribute to the diversity of ministry across London:

“Through the way you nurture disciples, new and old; your gloriously varied liturgies; your thoughtful and inspirational preaching; your prophetic social justice initiatives; your care of the vulnerable and isolated – in all of these and so much more I have seen the signs of the Kingdom among you.

“This vacancy can be such a time for you. This is not just because you are in good episcopal hands – which you undoubtedly are – but because London is a place where

churches are not only confident in the Gospel but also confident in their identity – in their unique ministries.”

Addressing the wider Diocese, Bishop Sarah recognised the role of laity in sustaining the life of the Church:

“Whether you belong to a congregation or one of our governance bodies, are a church officer or a member of diocesan staff, an adviser or a volunteer – whatever your role, I hope you know the blessing that you are and the blessings that you bring.”

In her parting words, Bishop Sarah spoke of the unity that binds the Diocese together despite its diversity:

“In the midst of our many differences, we are united in our determination to proclaim Jesus as Lord, gazing on the face of Christ and seeking to reflect his glory, recognising that it’s not about us, it’s about the God who we worship. As St Paul so eloquently put it: ‘We do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake’.

“Please pray for me in the next stage of my calling, as I will always pray for you.”

The service for the Confirmation of Election, formally recognising Bishop Sarah as Archbishop of Canterbury, will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on 28 January 2026, from 11:00am – 12:30pm.