THE new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, visited Salisbury this morning as he prepared for his enthronement, which takes place on Thursday 

The visit was an opportunity for Archbishop Welby to discuss his priorities with the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, and to build links with the Episcopal Church of Sudan, as its Archbishop, the Most Revd Daniel Deng Bul, was also in the city.

The Archbishop stayed overnight on Monday as a guest of the Bishop Holtam before joining worshippers at Salisbury Cathedral’s early morning service where the Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd June Osborne, presided.

The Archbishop’s Journey in Prayer has seen him making a pilgrimage around the Province of Canterbury in the lead up to the beginning of his public ministry, inviting people to join him as he spends each day in prayer. T

he Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, said: “I am delighted that Archbishop Justin has visited Salisbury.

“It shows his commitment to the people of this diocese and his province as well as England.”

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd June Osborne, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Archbishop Justin to Salisbury Cathedral and to pray with him at such an important time for him and for the Church of England.

“Although this was a personal and low-key visit, Archbishop Justin expressed his hope that he would return to Salisbury very soon to meet more of the diocese. In the meantime I know that the time he spent in Salisbury, and at the other cathedrals he has visited during his pilgrimage, will strengthen him in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead. He knows that our support and prayers will go with him to his enthronement and beyond.”