First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
Public Statement on behalf of the Women Anglican Clergy in Jersey
3rd October 2025 – The Appointment of Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
We are delighted to hear the news about the appointment of Dame Sarah as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This milestone is especially historic, as she is the first woman appointed to the role. The Church of England has been appointing women as bishops since 2014, and, whilst her appointment may have come as a surprise to some, it is testament to Sarah’s faithful service and devotion to God, and to the Church’s ongoing journey of growth and renewal.
As Archbishop, she will bring her own unique gifts, skills and wisdom to the role, and as a female Archbishop, she will bring particular hope and inspiration to women in their diverse callings, serving as a role model for generations to come. Her example stands as a living witness to God’s call, reminding us that the gifts of the Spirit are given to all without prejudice.
Whilst we recognise that the appointment of a woman may be difficult for some, we hope and pray that we can live well together in our differences, as sisters and brothers in Christ, under her leadership. We hope the Church of England will welcome her appointment with grace and pray that her ministry will be underpinned by compassion, courage and humility.
May God guide and strengthen her and the Church of England in this new chapter of ministry, and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire and uphold Sarah in all that lies ahead.
Message from the moderator about the synagogue attack in Manchester
Moderator speaks out after attack on Manchester synagogue
The Church of Scotland stands in deep sorrow and solidarity with our Jewish neighbours following today's abhorrent attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. That such violence should take place on Yom Kippur – the holiest day of the Jewish year – is particularly grievous. Yom Kippur is a time when Jewish people seek reconciliation with God and with one another, and yet this sacred day has been marred by fear and cruelty. We recognise the profound anxiety and vulnerability this act will bring not only to the Jewish community in Manchester, but to Jewish people across the United Kingdom and beyond. No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship or in the practice of their faith. As the full extent of injuries and harm continues to unfold, our heartfelt prayers are with all those who are suffering. In particular, we hold in prayer the families and friends of those whose lives have been lost, asking that they may know comfort and strength in their grief. On behalf of the Church of Scotland, I assure our Jewish sisters and brothers of our prayers, our compassion, and our steadfast commitment to stand alongside you against antisemitism in all its forms. May the God of peace bring comfort, strength, and healing in these dark hours.
Candle Lighting Ceremony to Promote Unity
Today Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders joined together to symbolically light candles at St Giles’ Cathedral celebrating and promoting unity across different communities in Scotland.
- The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland
- Reverend Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
- Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
- Archbishop Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
- The Most Revd Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
- Edward Green DL, Leader of the Edinburgh Jewish Community
- Rev Dr Scott Rennie, minister of St Giles'
- His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch
- His Grace the Duke of Hamilton
A minister from the Borders who is happy to be described as "a cheerleader for the church" has been chosen to be the next moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Rev Rosemary Frew, minister of Bowden and Melrose Parish Church, will succeed Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson.
She said it was "incredibly humbling" to be considered to have the qualities needed for the role.
She said she hoped she would bring her faith, hope, passions and enthusiasm to the position.
Message from The Right Reverand Dr. Shaw Patterson on the election of Pope Leo XIV
A new Pope has been elected as the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church. The Right Reverend Dr. Shaw Patterson said: “On behalf of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland may I offer my very best wishes to the Roman Catholic Church on the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and assure the Catholic Church in Scotland of our continued prayers at this significant I went in the life of the church.”
Reverend Carolann Birnie, Minister of St. Columba’s Jersey adds, “We also offer our continued prayers for the Catholic churches in Jersey at this time.”
A message from the Right Reverand Dr. Shaw Patterson on the death of Pope Francis
May I express my condolences to the Catholic Church in Scotland following the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We recall with gratitude the hospitality extended by His Holiness to representatives of the Church of Scotland and also the occasion of the Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace made by Pope Francis to South Sudan in the company of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2023.
In recalling his contribution to Christian witness, we hear renewed the call made by His Holiness in Laudato si' to care for the earth as our common home, and in Fratelli tutti to discover the presence of Christ in each human being. We join with all Christian people in the prayer of Pope Francis:
Grant that we Christians may live the Gospel,
discovering Christ in each human being,
recognizing him crucified
in the sufferings of the abandoned
and forgotten of our world,
and risen in each brother or sister
who makes a new start.
Amen.
May the blessed memory of Francis continue to serve as an example to the faithful people of God in our shared pilgrimage and in our common task of caring for God's creation. May he rest in peace.
Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
