Who do you think you are?’ was the theme of the Bishop of Guildford’s last confirmation sermon at St Peter’s Church, Ash on 11 January 2026.He ended that sermon by saying ”a day will come – quite certainly – when Andrew Watson becomes the late Andrew Watson”. He continued, “what on earth will be the point of my degrees and qualifications then, let alone my dubious hereditary links with King Alfred and the Emperor Charlemagne? I find who I am in Jesus Christ”.Little did he know when he spoke those words that, within seven weeks, his earthly life would end. And yet they sum up the life of this disciple. That strong identity, which shone through his short illness, was an inspiration to so many. It was the day after the confirmation service that Bishop Andrew discovered the non-operable, terminal extent of his pancreatic cancer. The way he dealt with that diagnosis has been seen inspirational to so many people whose lives he has touched in his ministry.That is why there has been such an outpouring of love and gratitude to a man who despite his immense intellectual and academic achievements remained rooted in humility and his Christian faith.
The new Archbishop of Canterbury will embark tomorrow (March 17th) on a 6-day walking pilgrimage from London to Canterbury, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March.It is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has undertaken a pilgrimage of this nature in the lead-up to their Installation.The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, along with her husband Eamonn, will be walking the 140km route along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, reflecting her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury.Walking along stretches of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino, the group will join Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys en route, as well as meeting with other pilgrims and visiting schools and ecumenical organisations. Stops will include Southwark Cathedral,& Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.The final stretch of the journey will see the pilgrims joined by David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, and members of the Cathedral chapter, to walk from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on Sunday 22 March.A pilgrim’s passport has been specially produced for the journey, designed by pupils from Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham. The group will also give out prayer cards featuring a prayer written by pupils from The Archbishop's School in Canterbury.In her statement Archbishop Sarah explained: “As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route. For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to Canterbury, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities. I'm looking forward to visiting local churches, cathedrals and holy sites along the route - and to meeting people, praying with them and hearing their stories. As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage - a journey with God. As I begin this new chapter in my own life and ministry, I am grateful to be walking with God and with others.”
