The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has presented her first Lambeth Awards since taking office. The award presentation took place on Friday 11 September in Lambeth Palace Chapel and honoured 27 individuals for extraordinary contributions to either the Anglican Communion, the Church of England or wider society.
From promoting interfaith relations, liturgical contribution, pursuit of social justice or reconciliation to demonstrating a commitment to serving the Anglican Communion, awards span five categories. These are: The Cross of St Augustine for Services to the Anglican Communion, the Canterbury Cross for Services to the Church of England, the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation, the Langton Award for Community Service and the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship.
Recipients of the Cross of St Augustine award for service to the Anglican Communion
There were four recipients of this award who have been chosen from across the Communion for commitment and service to the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Canon Bev Jullien ‘for outstanding and exemplary leadership of the worldwide Mothers’ Union’.
Lambeth Palace has shared: ‘Canon Bev Jullien has given outstanding service to the Mothers’ Union, leading the organisation with wisdom, compassion and strategic clarity throughout her tenure as Chief Executive, a role she assumed in 2015. Following her decision to retire following the movement’s 150th anniversary celebrations in June 2026, it is fitting to recognise the depth and breadth of her contribution to one of the Anglican Communion’s most significant global ministries.
‘Under Canon Bev’s leadership, the Mothers’ Union has strengthened its voice and visibility, deepened its global partnerships, and renewed its commitment to supporting women, children, families and communities in some of the most challenging contexts worldwide. Her steady, thoughtful stewardship has helped the organisation navigate change while remaining faithful to its core Christian mission. Her work has empowered the Worldwide Board of Trustees, Worldwide Council, staff and countless volunteers, and has ensured that the Mothers’ Union continues to flourish both in the UK and across the worldwide Communion.
‘Canon Bev’s dedication, integrity, and tireless service exemplify the values of the Mothers’ Union. Her contribution to the life of the Church has been exceptional and enduring, and this award constitutes a well-deserved acknowledgement of her faithful and inspiring leadership.’
The Rt Revd Daniel Deng Abot ‘for leading groundbreaking peace work in South Sudan and for his continuing ministry to South Sudanese and Sudanese diaspora communities in Australia and internationally’.
According to Lambeth Palace: ‘Bishop Daniel was born in (now) South Sudan. During the civil war, 12-year-old Daniel fled 1,000 miles on foot to Ethiopia and then to Kenya. He spent 15 years in refugee camps, meeting his wife, Rachel, in Kenya, where he was ordained. After moving to Australia with Rachel and their children in 2003, Daniel worked for Anglicare, assisting newly arrived refugees.
‘In 2014, the Diocese of Duk in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan was established to help bring peace to the region. Daniel was appointed the first Bishop of Duk while working for the Queensland Government. While Rachel stayed in Australia with their seven children, Daniel served as the Bishop of Duk for eight years in an unpaid capacity — often sleeping in the bush — while serving over 60,000 internally displaced people and refugees. While undertaking peace-making work alongside the United Nations, Daniel rescued infants following massacres; protected children from being trafficked and from child marriages; helped with planning guesthouses to generate revenue; led clergy development; facilitated health and nutrition initiatives; and risked his life to accompany aid trucks to conflict zones.
‘Bishop Daniel now serves as the Ethnic Congregations Specialist in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland, ministering to culturally diverse communities. He also serves the wider South Sudanese and Sudanese diaspora internationally as a mediator and pastoral leader, visiting South Sudan during times of renewed violence and famine to assist with peace-making and relief efforts. Bishop Daniel is beloved for his prayerfulness, gentleness, servant leadership, integrity and courage as he outstandingly embodies the Marks of Mission.’
Professor Esther Mombo ‘for her outstanding contribution to Theological Education across the Anglican Communion over three decades, in raising awareness and understanding of issues of gender disparity and gender justice in Church and society, especially in Africa, leading to positive change in attitudes and practices’.
Lambeth Palace stated that ‘Professor Esther Mombo has served at St Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya, for over sixteen years in senior teaching, research and management positions. Her research and teaching interests have been wide and deep in the field of Church History, with a focus on Mission History, Interfaith Relations and Theology and Gender Studies, with a focus on African women's theologies, and on the impact of HIV and AIDS. She has also worked at the Universities of Dublin and Edinburgh. She has directed and examined many postgraduate students in research, most of whom are serving in the church in different capacities, including senior church leadership, organisations, and in academia. She has mentored many students, especially women who now serve in church religious organisations and academic institutions in different parts of the world.
‘Prof Mombo has also served with distinction in several ecumenical committees, including being co-chair of the Commission of Education and Ecumenical Formation of the World Council of Churches. She is chair of the African Contemporary Institute of Research in Africa and the East African coordinator of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. She has served as a lay Canon Theologian at Southwark Cathedral.
‘Prof Mombo has fostered many thought-provoking discussions in the church to enable theologians and church leaders to understand and question gender and patriarchy as systems that exclude and marginalise those on the edges of society, especially women. She is recognised by many as having made a significant impact in her teaching, administrativeand written works.’
Mr John Rea OBE ‘for helping found IAFN, the oldest of the Anglican Networks, which he has strengthened and motivated outstandingly for the whole of its existence’.
Lambeth Palace relayed that ‘In the mid-1990s John Rea very quickly grasped the Anglican Consultative Council’s desire to form Anglican Networks. With his background in Children's Services, he helped found the first such: the International Anglican Family Network (IAFN). He has worked tirelessly to promote it and successfully ensure its funding from partner Provinces of the Anglican Communion and has inspired the consultations that IAFN has sponsored in various parts of the Communion. He has proactively recruited members and chairs for the IAFN Management Committee and been interim Chair in times of vacancy. The continuity and knowledge that John has brought to IAFN have ensured its continuing contribution and adaptation to rapidly changing methods of communication.
‘In addition, on retirement, John, with his wife Della, volunteered for work in the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea as projects officer, preparing the ground for response to HIV/AIDS, improving the structure of the Theological College, improving gender equality and assisting the Education Division, as well as being a vital support to the then Archbishop. He continues to be heavily involved in the PNG Church Partnership, producing a high-quality news bulletin. From the Scottish Episcopal Church, John also contributed significantly to three Lambeth Conferences and supported many other aspects of ACC work, particularly the UN Anglican Observer when Sir Paul Reeves was in post.
‘John has outstanding networking skills that have enabled him to bring together people from around the Communion. He is trusted and admired by many people, but never seeks the limelight, being always content to support and, when necessary, to persist strongly to ensure that projects, consultations and other initiatives are completed well.’
Three of those receiving the Cross of St Augustine award for service to the Anglican Communion were present and received their award from Archbishop Sarah along with those receiving awards in the other categories. Professor Esther Mombo was not able to be there.
Recipients of the Canterbury Cross for services to the Church of England and the Langton Award for Community Service
Twelve of the 27 recipients were awarded the Canterbury Cross for services to the Church of England (one of the 42 provinces of the Anglican Communion). Among the winners were long-term advocates for the victims and survivors of church-related abuse, champions of racial justice and those who demonstrated dedicated service to cathedrals, liturgy, policy and governance in the Church of England.
Mr Peterson Karanja also received the Langton Award for Community Service 'For his visionary leadership in economic empowerment, uplifting marginalised communities toward lasting transformation, and establishing a legacy of resilience and hope across Kenya'.
Lambeth Palace stated that 'Peterson Karanja’s career spans over three decades, exemplifying a rare integration of theological insight, technical training, and development expertise. Through strategic partnerships with Anglican Church of Kenya dioceses, he has advanced grassroots economic empowerment in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities.
'From 2015 to 2024, as Founder and CEO of Five Talents Kenya, he led in embedding savings-led programs into 14 dioceses nationwide. More than 25,000 members have since joined established Savings Groups, collectively mobilizing over £7 million in community savings and issuing loans of almost equal value. Under this visionary leadership, grassroots groups transitioned into sustainable Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) business models, securing livelihoods and strengthening community resilience.
'This enduring legacy of resilience, dignity and hope stands as a beacon of transformation for generations to come, positioning communities for sustainable empowerment now and beyond his tenure.'
Speaking about her first Lambeth Awards as Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Sarah shared: ‘The Lambeth Awards are an uplifting testament to the incredible and inspiring work being done across the Church of England and the Anglican Communion by theologians and scholars, peacemakers and community advocates.
‘It is such a privilege to meet these individuals who have gone above and beyond in their fields, responding to Christ's call to follow Him, and show love and compassion to our neighbours in the pursuit of a more just world. Each recipient of an award demonstrates the church in action, bringing healing and hope to communities. I thank all of them for their tireless work.’
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, who also attended the awards, shared that ‘It was inspiring to witness a celebration of some of my Anglican sisters and brothers who have served the Communion in various and unique ways. The Anglican Communion is a diverse global family and, as such, God calls us in different ways. He calls some to ministry, others to pursue justice, one to garner peace and another to protect it. Some are called to be leaders, parents, scholars, disciples or advocates and it is important to use our unique God-given talents for His glory and the good of others.
‘As a worldwide family of churches, the Anglican Communion is blessed with so many wonderful individuals who demonstrate the five Marks of Mission in their contexts, according to their gifts, skills and callings. The awards reflected just some of the amazing range of gifts that we have in our global Communion.’
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