The Archbishop of Canterbury has begun her first visit to Africa since taking office with a historic church service in Ghana led entirely by female clergy.
Most Rev Sarah Mullally was welcomed to St Joseph the Worker Anglican Church in Accra by a brass band and local schoolchildren before the three-hour service, which was led by women priests from the Anglican Church of Ghana.
The service marked a significant moment during Archbishop Sarah’s first pastoral visit to the continent, following her installation as Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral in March. The visit, at the invitation of the Primate of West Africa, Archbishop Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, includes time in Ghana and Cameroon.
During her sermon, based on Romans 8 and the words “If God is for us, who is against us?”, Archbishop Sarah reflected on God’s enduring love and presence in times of challenge.
“Jesus is on your side, he is cheering you on,” she told the congregation. “You have been given the most wonderful promise of all – God is for you, and nothing in all creation will ever separate you from his love.”
The Archbishop thanked the congregation for their welcome and praised the ministry of women clergy who led the service, highlighting the important role they play in the life of the Anglican Church in Ghana.
Nana Osei / Lambeth Palace
Following the service, Archbishop Sarah broke ground on a new pilgrim hostel in Accra, part of the Church of Ghana’s Heritage Anglican Culture Village and Resorts initiative. The project aims to provide a place for people of African descent to visit Ghana, explore their heritage and learn more about the history of slavery and the African diaspora.
Praying at the site, Archbishop Sarah asked for God’s blessing on the project, saying she hoped it would help “God’s word go forward” and that “justice and mercy may be seen”.
Earlier in the day, the Archbishop visited several Anglican churches across Accra, including Holy Trinity Cathedral, St Mary’s Anglican Church, St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church and St Andrew’s Anglican Church, offering words of blessing and encouragement to congregations.
