[Lambeth Palace — Press Release] The Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin Welby, is to be represented by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, at the inauguration of the ministry of Pope Francis as Bishop of Rome.

Archbishop Sentamu, will lead an Anglican group of ‘fraternal delegates’ representing the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion who will attend both the Inauguration Mass on Tuesday 19th and an Audience with the new Pope on the following day.

Dr Sentamu will travel to Rome on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s behalf on Monday in time for the celebrations the following day.

The official Anglican Communion Delegation for the inauguration includes:

• His Grace The Archbishop of York, Representing the Archbishop of Canterbury
• The Revd Canon Jonathan Goodall, The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ecumenical Secretary
• The Revd Canon David Richardson, The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome
• The Rt Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford and Chairman of the Church of England Council for Christian Unity
• The Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General, The Anglican Communion
• The Revd Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan, Director for Unity, Faith and Order, Anglican Communion Office

Several further Special Guests will also travel to Rome and be received at the Inauguration Mass with the official delegation:

• Archbishop David Moxon, Anglican Co-Chair of the Anglican–Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC)
• Bishop David Hamid, Anglican Co-Chair of the International Anglican–Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM)
• Bishop Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe (Church of England)
• Bishop Pierre Whalon, Bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (The Episcopal Church USA)
• The Revd Malcolm Macnaughton, Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of York
• Mrs Margie Richardson, The Anglican Centre in Rome

Members of the Delegation will return to the UK on Wednesday in time for the Inauguration of Archbishop Justin’s ministry in Canterbury on Thursday. At that service Pope Francis will be represented officially by His Eminence Kurt Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Several other Roman Catholic representatives will also attend.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Archbishop Donald Coggan attended the Inauguration of Pope John Paul II in the autumn of 1978; and Archbishop Rowan Williams memorably attended both the Funeral of John Paul II and the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005.