Diocese of Canterbury

The Archbishop's ministry as a bishop is rooted in the city of Canterbury as 'pastor of the cathedral and metropolitical church of Christ Canterbury' from which he oversees the life and witness of a diocese of 270 parishes:  most of the county of Kent.  

The See of Canterbury — that is, the cathedral, parishes and other communities and institutions that make up the Diocese — is the 'mother' church (diocese) of the Church of England.  As its bishop the Archbishop is therefore the 'metropolitan' bishop of the whole of the ecclesiastical 'province' of Canterbury: that is, the 30 diocesan sees of southern England and the Diocese in Europe, in relation to which he has a permanent authority of jurisdiction. There are many legal and pastoral responsibilities wrapped up in this role (and it is paralleled by a similar relationship between the Diocese and Archbishop of York and the other 12 dioceses of northern England).  

The Archbishop of Canterbury is supported in his diocesan ministry by two supplementary (so-called 'suffragan') bishops:  the Bishop of Dover (who acts as the archbishop's delegate for the day to day running of diocesan affairs) and the Bishop of Maidstone.  Two further supplementary bishops — the Bishops of Richborough and Ebbsfleet — are based in the diocese and care on the Archbishop's behalf for those parishes across the Province of Canterbury that do not accept the ministry of women priests.  

For centuries archbishops have made their home at Lambeth Palace in London, and Archbishop Williams continues this tradition. However he is regularly resident in the Diocese.  

The Archbishop's most focused periods of activity in the diocese occur at Christmas, Easter, and the Ordinations of deacons and priests for the Diocese (usually in late June).  Whenever he can, the Archbishop enjoys spending time at weekends in visits to many of the 270 parishes within it.  Like all bishops, when the Archbishop visits his parishes he would usually preside and preach at the Eucharist, and perhaps baptise and/or confirm, inaugurate the ministry of new pastor or share in a major event in the life of the community. These are also opportunities to support the ministry of his dicoesan clergy, and provide pastoral care to them.

This diocesan ministry is foundational to all other aspects of an Archbishop of Canterbury's national and global roles.