Cathedral Isle of Man will be the focal point of the Archbishop of York’s visit to the Diocese of Sodor and Man, hosting the concluding act of worship after a weekend of pilgrimage, prayer and encounter across the Island.
Cathedral Isle of Man – Archbishop of York to meet Pilgrims
On Sunday 27 September 2026, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell and the Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Rt Revd Patricia Hillas, will meet pilgrims at 10am at the ruins of the ancient Cathedral of St German’s within Peel Castle.
Led by a giant puppet of St German, the procession will make its way through Peel to Cathedral Isle of Man for a 10.30am service, at which the Archbishop will preach and preside.
The short journey links Peel’s two cathedral sites. The medieval cathedral within the castle preserves the Island’s ancient Christian story, while the present Gothic Revival cathedral—built in local red sandstone between 1879 and 1884 and designated the diocesan cathedral in 1980—continues that tradition as a living place of worship and welcome.
The cathedral service will bring together the central themes of the weekend: walking ancient paths, remembering the saints who shaped Manx Christianity and discovering how pilgrimage can renew faith today.
The visit forms part of Faith in the North’s focus on pilgrimage across the Province.
During the visit, Archbishop Stephen and Bishop Tricia will walk around 25 miles with local people, sharing conversation and prayer along the way.
On Friday 25 September, the pilgrimage begins in the south of the Island with a walk from the Sound Café, past Spanish Head, to Cregneash, followed by Manx Evening Prayer at St Peter’s Church at 4pm, where the Archbishop will teach.
On Saturday 26 September, marking the tenth anniversary of the Triskelion Way, the bishops will follow a circular route including sections of the trail, Spooyt Vane Waterfall and Glen Wyllin. They will later walk from Ramsey to Maughold, where Evening Prayer at 6pm will include an opportunity to renew baptismal vows using water from the ancient well of St Maughold.
For those unable to join the walks, a ‘Pilgrimage in Place’ drop-in will be held at St Andrew’s URC Church, St Ninian’s Crossroads, from 10am to noon on Saturday. It will offer silence, prayer activities, poems from the weekend and a recorded message from Archbishop Stephen.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Archbishop Stephen said:
“There is massive interest in pilgrimage at the moment. I think it’s because in a fast-moving world in thrall to things shiny and new, many of us are looking for something slower and tested by time. Pilgrimage can’t be hurried. It doesn’t happen on a screen. It takes the time it takes. It puts you back in touch with ancient pathways and time-honoured wisdom. It has always been a way of encountering God and discovering that the whole of life can be a pilgrimage. It is the best antidote to today’s quick fixes.”
Bishop Tricia said:
“The Isle of Man has many ancient places and routes where saints and people of faith have been before us. Their faith and lives still shape us today. We can encounter the same God today that they knew hundreds of years ago. Stepping out, physically or mentally, can take us on a life-giving journey of discovery and encounter.”
As 2026 is the Year of the Manx Language, Manx will help shape prayers and liturgy during the weekend, including worship connected with the cathedral.
- Sunday 27 September, 10am: Meet at the ancient cathedral within Peel Castle for the procession to Cathedral Isle of Man.
- Sunday 27 September, 10.30am: Service at Cathedral Isle of Man, Peel, with Archbishop Stephen Cottrell preaching and presiding.
Further details about the cathedral are available from the Cathedral Isle of Man website here. More information about the wider pilgrimage programme is available from Faith in the North.
Picture credit: Diocese of Sodor and Man
