Bishop Sarah has visited the Episcopal Diocese of New York for the first time as Bishop of London, meeting with parishes and clergy to learn more about their work and celebrating the links they have with parishes in the Diocese of London.

During a wide-ranging visit, Bishop Sarah was hosted by the Bishop of New York, the Rt Revd Andrew Dietsche, and welcomed by historic parishes across the Diocese. She was also granted the honour of being seated in the International Ecumenical Cathedra by Bishop Dietsche.

During meetings with clergy in the city, Bishop Sarah discussed societal challenges faced by both London and New York. She met with a group led by the Revd Adrian Dannhauser of the Church of the Incarnation Maddison Avenue, to talk about anti-trafficking work, and held a further meeting at St Bartholomew Church Park Avenue to discuss the Church’s response to grief, loneliness and mental health. Work in this area is well-known to Bishop Sarah, who is currently chairing the UK Commission on Bereavement and the Health Inequalities Action Group and has highlighted issues of mental health and wellbeing in numerous contexts.

The Bishop was also welcomed to the historic Trinity Church, Wall Street, where she met with the Rector, the Revd Philip Jackson. Trinity Church is closely linked to the Diocese of London and is well placed for an influential global ministry. The important links held between churches in London and New York were celebrated throughout the visit, including at a reception for NY-London Link Clergy at the Church of the Transfiguration, attended by Bishop Allen K. Shin, the Suffragan Bishop of New York.

Bishop Sarah delivered sermons at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, and the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. She also spoke at the Annual Dinner of the Church Club of New York, exploring the opportunities of service which her role offers, particularly in challenging societal, racial and gender injustice, in an address entitled ‘Do you see this woman?’.

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame
Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, said:

“It has been a delight to be with colleagues and friends in New York the past few days, and I am immensely grateful to Bishop Dietsche and the Episcopal Diocese of New York for their hospitality and welcome.

“It is just over two years since my plans to visit New York were interrupted by COVID. COVID has changed the world, it has taken away our breath, for some their financial security, others have lost those they love. As two world cities we have much to learn from each other about our cities and our churches as we move forward in the pandemic. And whilst we have lost much in the last two years, we have not lost our links.

“I arrived in New York with great enthusiasm on behalf of my Diocese to build on and further strengthen the links we share. I am so pleased to leave with new connections, learnings and ideas which will enable our two cities to work more closely together.”

The Rt Revd Andrew ML Dietsche,
Bishop of New York, said:

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Bishop Mullally, the Bishop of London, to the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Our Dioceses have enjoyed our powerful bonds of affection and fellowship since the days, hundreds of years ago, when the Anglican congregations in the American Colonies were under the oversight of the Bishop of London.

“In early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic closed down much of the world and limited trans-Atlantic travel, my staff and I were busily preparing for Bishop Mullally’s first visit to our Diocese. As we leave behind the pandemic, I rejoice all the more that the clergy and people of our Diocese can finally welcome Bishop Mullally to New York City.

“My predecessor, Bishop Sisk, had the privilege of seating the prior Bishop of London and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori – the first female bishop so honored – in the International Ecumenical Cathedra. I am blessed to have the honor and joy of seating Bishop Mullally – the first female Bishop among the 133 Bishops of London and the first female bishop from outside the Episcopal Church to receive this honor!”