Diocese of Canterbury

Canterbury Cathedral The Archbishop's ministry has its roots in the friendly soil of the diocese where, supported primarily by the Bishop of Dover, acting as the Bishop in Canterbury, the episcopal, pastoral and teaching work of the Archbishop's diocese is carried out.  The Bishop of Maidstone shares that ministry in the diocese, whilst the Bishops of Richborough and Ebbsfleet care on the Archbishop's behalf for parishes across the Province of Canterbury that cannot accept the ministry of women priests. 

In parishes bishops usually conduct confirmations, preach at special services, licence clergy and participate in major festivals and events. They support the ministry of clergy in the diocese and provide pastoral care to them. Across the diocese they have oversight of all clergy, lay ministers and workers, the huge variety of work they do and the financial resources that support this activity.

As Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams also enjoys a supervisory role (known as 'metropolitical authority') in relation to all bishops and clergy in the 30 dioceses of southern England. In this role, he presides at the Installation of Provincial Canons at Canterbury Cathedral.

Easter, Christmas and the Petertide Retreat and Ordinations at the end of June are the Archbishop of Canterbury's most focused periods of activity in the diocese. However whenever he can, the Archbishop enjoys spending time at weekends in visits to many of the 270 parishes within it. On these visits he will usually be invited to celebrate Holy Communion and preach, as well as spend time with the congregation, the clergy and their families.