Pilgrim's Progress: Philip Hobday: A first
There are all sorts of weird and wonderful aspects to British public life. One of them is a court of law which meets in a church.
In this court there are lawyers in wigs and gowns, as well as clergy in their robes. It happens whenever someone is appointed as a diocesan bishop in the Church of England. And this month it is happening at St Paul's Cathedral to confirm the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury.
This role is older than that of the Prime Minister (which emerged only in the eighteenth century). Older than the oldest government office, that of the Lord Chancellor (which dates to the tenth century). Even older than the Crown (depends on how you count, but certainly not older than the ninth century).
We have seen three women Prime Ministers, two women Lord Chancellors, and six reigning Queens, but never a woman Archbishop.
This reminds us that the history of our country cannot be separated from its distinctively Christian history.
One of the big challenges of our time is how we balance with the reality that our citizens hold to very different faiths, beliefs, and values with the reality that our society, culture, and politics cannot be understand without grasping the role that Christianity and the church have played in their development.
So whatever our background or belief, we can surely mark Dame Sarah's achievement as the first woman in this role – and if we're the kind of people who pray, ask for God's blessing on her and the ancient institution she must now lead.
Philip Hobday, Wakefield Cathedral