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The Archbishop of Canterbury was formally reintroduced to the House of Lords on Thursday 5 February, taking her seat as one of the 26 Lords Spiritual, the group of Church of England Bishops that sit in the Upper Chamber of the Houses of Parliament.
The ceremony, required following her confirmation of election as Archbishop of Canterbury, took place in the Upper Chamber and Archbishop Sarah was supported by Archbishop Stephen and Bishop Debbie. Students from the Archbishop’s School in Canterbury also attended.
During the formal proceedings, the writ of summons issued by His Majesty The King was read by the Reading Clerk, who then administered the Oath of Allegiance. Archbishop Sarah then made her way to the Woolsack to greet the Lord Speaker.
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The recently appointed Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Joanne Grenfell, was introduced to the House of Lords shortly afterwards, also supported by Archbishop Stephen and Bishop Debbie.
Speaking after the ceremony, Archbishop Sarah said she recognised the significance of the role. “A seat in the House of Lords comes with an enormous responsibility,” she said. “I commit to bringing a compassionate voice to my role as an advocate for equity, justice and hope. I will draw on my faith and my practical and pastoral experience as a nurse and a priest to help scrutinise and finesse legislation that improves the lives of all those who live and work in our country – of all faiths and none.”