Religion
Sarah Mullally Named First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
In a historic first for the Church of England, Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to hold the role in its 1,400-year history.
Mullally, 63, succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned in 2024 following a child abuse cover-up scandal. Her appointment makes her the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, and she will officially be installed in March 2026 at Canterbury Cathedral.
“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager,” Mullally said.
Before her ordination, Mullally worked as a nurse and Chief Nursing Officer for England. She later became Bishop of London in 2018, making her the Church of England’s third most senior bishop before this historic promotion.
The new archbishop acknowledged the Church’s recent failures, stating:
“Our history of safeguarding failures has left the legacy of deep harm and mistrust. As archbishop, my commitment will be to ensure that we continue to listen to survivors, care for the vulnerable and foster a culture of safety and wellbeing for all.”
Mullally’s appointment was made possible by reforms passed under Welby that allowed women to be consecrated as bishops. While welcomed by progressives, her elevation has been criticized by conservative Anglican factions such as GAFCON.
For years, Mullally has played a key role in church debates on marriage and sexuality, including support for blessings of gay couples. She is also recognized for modernizing church administration and leading the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Archbishop of Canterbury serves as the public face of the Church of England, often presiding over national and royal events such as coronations. Candidates are chosen by the Crown Nominations Commission, with formal approval by the Prime Minister and King Charles, the Church’s Supreme Governor.
Mullally becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury since Saint Augustine in 597, tasked with tackling declining church attendance, engaging youth, and addressing financial challenges.
Jonathan Evans, chair of the Crown Nominations Commission, praised the appointment:
“I shall be praying for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take up this new ministry in the coming months.”
